Springfield Business Journal_2020-12-25

DEC. 28, 2020-JAN. 3, 2021 Be humble, grateful and maintain a good sense of humor. My absolute favorite thing to do is laugh. Self-deprecating humor is my super power. Laughter breaks down barriers, lightens the load and brings people together – it’s truly the best medicine. And it’s free. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Life is too short. Always have a go-to karaoke song at the ready. 10 6 Don’t take their monkey. Support and empower the individuals who report to you. The monkey analogy represents a question/ problem a direct report is trying to solve. Together, you can talk about the monkey, pet and feed the monkey, even go for a walk with the monkey, but in the end, your direct report takes their monkey. In other words, brainstorm, troubleshoot and most importantly, listen. Don’t take on every problem and solve it in a vacuum, otherwise you’re robbing the individual of learning and growing, and instead creating an environment of dependence. The ultimate job of a supervisor is to remove barriers, provide support and help connect dots. I value time; you value chocolate. There isn’t a person on this planet who doesn’t appreciate being recognized for a job well done. As a leader, it is important to remember that people have different preferences when it comes to building rapport among team members and showing gratitude. While I enjoy giving and receiving notes, others may prefer potluck or Zoom lunches. Especially during COVID-19 when people are feeling disconnected and isolated, encourage the development of a morale team that can develop ideas with broad appeal. 7 9 Innovation is a team sport. Build a team of diverse thinkers. I am part of a cross-functional innovation team that meets weekly to discuss ideas and vet opportunities. Each member evaluates an opportunity through a different lens, which is critical. I love being part of a team that breathes life into new initiatives. When you make yourself accessible and you are viewed as a catalyst for change, people are more comfortable approaching you with their ideas. But be sure to give proper credit and keep those individuals engaged. I’ve found I’m more adept at activating good ideas than I am at generating new ideas, and that’s OK. Successful initiatives require both skills. With limited resources, remember it’s just as important to identify when to stop doing things as it is to start. 8 You’re never too senior to shadow. I have found that shadowing a subject matter expert exponentially accelerates my learning curve. People like to share their knowledge, so don’t be afraid to reach out to those you feel represent best practices and ask questions. Trendspotting is simply a matter of keeping your ear to the ground and your eyes on the horizon. “ Jann Holland Vice president of marketing and communications, CoxHealth SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS JOURNAL · 19 MCKENZIE ROBINSON