Rewiring Excellence

In 2003, Quint Studer wrote Hardwiring Excellence: Purpose, Worthwhile Work, Making a Difference. Now, more than 20 years later, the world has changed drastically. While some widely embraced behaviors and processes need to stay hardwired, others no longer work well (or, in some cases, at all). In many areas, it’s time to rewire.

Rewiring Excellence: Hardwired to Rewired is Quint’s response to our rapidly shifting environment. Along with Dan Collard, who contributed to the book, he pinpoints the key areas that—at least in many organizations—most need rewiring. And he provides a wealth of practical how-tos for getting started. Here are just a few things leaders will learn:

• How to evaluate whether a process, practice, or behavior needs rewiring (or whether it’s better left hardwired)

• Why the Human Capital Ecosystem™ Assessment is a good starting point for reimagining your organizationHow Emotional Onboarding™ helps new hires navigate uncertainty and accelerate the sense of belonging that makes them want to stay

• Why popular practices like patient and employee rounding have become too complicated and how to make them doable again

• Tactics for rethinking critical areas like selection and onboarding of talent, skill building, patient experience, employee well-being, and moreWhy a “precision” approach to development is urgently needed in an industry with so many new leaders

• How a “less-is-more” strategy helps close the saying/doing gap and builds trust throughout the organization

Here’s the book’s overarching message: The decision to rewire is as individual as the organization itself. Let outcomes lead the way. If it’s working, great. Keep doing what’s hardwired. But if you’re not getting the results you want, don’t be afraid to let go of the past. Rewire, move forward, and keep making healthcare better and better as the world evolves around us.