By Thomas Davis, DNAP, MAE, CRNA Born in Denmark in the early 1800’s, Hans Christian Anderson was a prolific writer best known for his fairy tales.  Among his famous fables, The Emperor’s New Clothes is a classic story that continues to be referenced two centuries later when the reality that we experience does not align with what we are told is “the truth”.   In the story, two con men implement a plan to cheat a prideful emperor by manipulating his ego.  The men pretend to be weavers who have developed an amazing fabric that is invisible to those with a simple mind or unfit ..read more

By Thomas Davis, DNAP, MAE, CRNA Josh has been a solid frontline healthcare worker for 4 years, he is respected by colleagues and has developed a comfortable workflow.  His boss seems to be a little aloof and although Josh does his job well, he is stagnant in his work and does not sense an opportunity for professional growth or promotion.   The corporation is at risk of losing a qualified and productive worker.  Marsha is in her 50s, Josh’s supervisor, and is the perioperative administrator in a busy 10 room suite of operating rooms.  She skillfully moves workers like ..read more

By Thomas Davis, DNAP, MAE, CRNA “I wish I were a better person”, “I’m so helpless”, “I always get the worst assignments”, “I feel as if I’m an imposter”, “Work is sucking the life out of me”, “Nobody appreciates the stress that I have in my life”, “I’m so disappointed in myself”. Is your head filled with ANTS? Psychologists estimate that the human brain has up to 70,000 thoughts per day and those thoughts determine how we interact with those around us.  At the heart of how we collaborate and network with others is our ongoing inner dialogue of thoughts that guide our behavior.  ANTS ..read more

By Thomas Davis, DNAP, MAE, CRNA You know the type of surgery that your patient will receive, you have reviewed the lab work and history/physical and you have a sense about their basic health.  It’s time to meet the patient, assess the airway, explain what you will be doing and then get the case going.   You feel as if you know your patient, but do you know who they are as an individual? The business community has learned that regardless of the product being offered or the knowledge of the salesperson, it is the consumer who makes the decision about what to purchase or pass up ..read more

By Thomas Davis, DNAP, MAE, CRNA In November of 1999, the Institute of Medicine shook America’s healthcare consumers when they released their report “To Err is Human.”  The report noted that up to 98,000 patients were being harmed each year by medical errors.  The healthcare community responded with an endless line of safety initiatives meant to protect the patient, however in the past 23 years, the safety numbers have not changed significantly.  What is driving those numbers and what can we do to make the operating room a safer place for our patients? Many factors contribute to ..read more

By Thomas Davis, DNAP, MAE, CRNA “It’s the most wonderful time of the year With the kids jingle belling And everyone telling you be of good cheer It’s the most wonderful time of the year” ~Song by Andy Williams The earth is completing another trip around the sun and the holiday season is rapidly approaching.   It is a time of the year when we are forced out of our daily routine and thrust into glitz and glamor of the holidays.  Regardless of your culture or religious background, business as usual is cast aside and festivities abound in our homes, workplaces, and communities.&nbs ..read more

By Thomas Davis, DNAP, MAE, CRNA The times they are a changing.  Not long ago, applicants who lined up to compete for healthcare jobs hoped to be the lucky winner of the coveted position.  Now, due to many factors including COVID burnout, healthcare organizations are competing to attract candidates to fill the void created by open positions.  More than ever, employers are seeking ways to retain current workers while creating a positive reputation that will attract additional qualified people.  In short, organizations have a new focus on implementing employee friendly activi ..read more

By Thomas Davis, DNAP, MAE, CRNA A common theme of my leadership articles is emphasis on the importance of creating a preferred workplace.  Both healthcare and business management literature reinforce the connection between employee engagement/productivity and working in a favored environment.  Among the foundational elements of a great workplace is professional development where the employer actively seeks avenues for employees to gain new professional skills. Unfortunately, not everyone works in a preferred workplace.  If your employer does not promote expansion of you career ..read more

By Thomas Davis, DNAP, MAE, CRNA Rising stars in the workplace and in the profession…we all know who they are and the contributions that they make to group.  It would be a cliché to say that those entering a profession are the future of the organization, and we all know that it is true.   To ensure that nurse anesthesiologists continue to be valued members of the healthcare community, a combination of solid workers and rising stars are essential. Ask any Chief Anesthetist who the “go to” people are in the workgroup, and they quickly point out the all-stars.   Likewise ..read more

By Thomas Davis, DNAP, MAE, CRNA The leader is often a dynamic person who guides a frontline team to the completion of a task or goal.   In the traditional scenario, the boss is in a position of authority over the workers, and both know their position on the chain of command.   Breaking the traditional hierarchy of leadership, in 1992 coach Chuck Daly found himself with a unique challenge as the coach of the first US Olympic men’s basketball dream team.  Without doubt, every player on the team was a super star in his own right, now it was the job of the coach to unite ..read more