Fostering genuine human connection becomes increasingly important as the world further embraces technology and remote work. Renown speaker and author Riaz Meghji has made it his mission to help leaders and professionals rediscover the power of authentic connection. His recent work aims to address the challenges of building meaningful relationships in a hybrid work environment, particularly for those in the medical field. By tackling such challenges as empathy fatigue while embracing vulnerability as a leader, practice managers and healthcare professionals can strengthen the human element in their organizations.
The Importance of Authentic Connection
Discussing the journey in writing his book, Every Conversation Counts: The Five Habits of Human Connection that Build Extraordinary Relationships, Meghji highlights the challenges of launching the book during the pandemic. As he puts it, it was a time when the “choreography of connection" had shifted dramatically for everyone. "The opportunity to serve the message of connection with ourselves and with others is, what does time well spent look like for you?" he asks, underscoring the need for leaders to prioritize genuine human connection.
Addressing Empathy Fatigue
One of the key issues Meghji confronts is the concept of "empathy fatigue," a challenge that has become increasingly prevalent in the medical field. "One of the biggest challenges that they (healthcare professionals) tell me about is, ‘hey, I get the importance of connection, but time is such a scarce commodity, and we are so overwhelmed," he explains.
Meghji’s advice is for leaders to take care of themselves first, so they can show up for their teams and patients with consistency and care over time. "If our goal in the medical profession is to show up for our patients, show up our stakeholders with consistency of care over time, I think it's important to show up for ourselves first," he says.
Vulnerability and Value-Added Leadership
The difference between vulnerability and "value-added vulnerability," according to Meghji, is that “vulnerability is articulating the struggle we may be experienced or have experienced, value-added vulnerability is ‘here was the struggle, here was the conflict, but above all, here was the resolution."
This approach can build trust and authenticity within teams, empowering others to share their own experiences. "If we wrap our heads around the idea that my personal share can be a point of service as opposed to a burden on somebody else, I think that can be very powerful," Meghji says.
Fostering Connection in a Hybrid World
There are practical tips for leaders to create meaningful connections and foster community within the hybrid work environment. "I think it's really getting intentional with how we run our meetings, how we give space for connection, how we empower people beforehand," Meghji suggests, this can include rotating meeting facilitation and empowering team members to share personal stories. By also understanding one’s relationship with technology, professionals can be intentional about minimizing distractions during important conversations and meetings.
Leaders Keynote
Meghji shared the vision for his upcoming keynote session at this year’s MGMA Leaders Conference in Denver. "My goal in that room is to ignite the room, create a shared emotional experience, to remind them with practical ideas how they can show up, ask questions, lead with assertive empathy, but above all, meet the people that are going to change their lives and how they can show up and serve in a big way."
Actionable Tips:
- Prioritize time for self-care and personal well-being to avoid empathy fatigue and show up consistently for your team and patients.
- Embrace "value-added vulnerability" by sharing your struggles and resolutions as a leader, which can build trust and encourage authenticity within your organization.
- Rotate meeting facilitation responsibilities to give team members a voice and the opportunity to share personal stories, fostering a stronger sense of community.
- Audit your own awareness of technology use and develop strategies to minimize distractions during important conversations and meetings.
- Seek feedback from trusted colleagues on how you can improve as an active listener, as this can be a powerful tool for strengthening human connections.
- Approach each conversation with the mindset that it has the potential to change someone's life, and be intentional about showing up to serve and support your team and patients.
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