Happy July! Wow – I can’t believe I’m saying that already. I don’t know about you all, but it seems like the summer is flying by already. It seems like the older I get, the faster time moves (and I’m really not even that old!).
Currently, I am in a CNO certification course that is virtual every other Tuesday for a couple of hours. This course is sponsored by the National Rural Health Association, so it focuses on CNO development specifically in rural health settings. It is great to get to network with other newer CNOs from all over the country. What I have learned is that many of the same challenges we face here are the same challenges faced everywhere else as well…and that is most of the time somewhat comforting.
However, one lesson really struck a chord with me in particular so I wanted to share that with you all. The question posed to the group was, “What motivates and engages employees?” Of course the subject of money came up, but actually that didn’t make the top three. The three keys of motivation are actually:
1) Autonomy – the right or condition of self-government,
2) Mastery – comprehensive knowledge or skill in a particular activity, and
3) Purpose – the reason for which something is done.
Individuals may be motivated by one of these or all three but nearly everyone’s motivation can be linked back to at least one.
I think these three motivators are important to keep in mind when we look at being motivated and engaged employees here at ISH. For each person, what they need to be motivated or engaged might look a little different. I would challenge each of you to think about what motivates and engages you as an employee. Which of the three categories do those things fit into, and how can we work together to capitalize on those motivators for the betterment of our patients?
