How to Build a Culture that Welcomes Change

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Change used to be something healthcare leaders prepared for. Now, it’s something they move through every day.

Whether they’re navigating shifting regulations, rolling out new digital tools, or rethinking how to keep teams engaged and resilient, today’s executives face a reality that doesn’t sit still for long. And while no one can predict what’s coming next, some leaders are getting better at building the kind of culture that can handle just about anything.

Upgrading Systems Without Disrupting People

On paper, replacing an EHR system might sound like a software update. In practice, it’s a shift that touches nearly every aspect of a healthcare organization—from how doctors input notes to how patients experience care.

The smart leaders don’t just hand the job off to IT. They bring in frontline staff early, make sure everyone understands the why behind the change, and adjust workflows based on what people actually need—not just what the software promises.

In one mid-sized health network, for example, implementation timelines were extended not because of technical delays, but to make space for more feedback and small-group coaching sessions. The end result? Fewer errors, stronger buy-in, and better continuity of care.

Staying Ahead of Policy, Instead of Catching Up

Regulatory changes are a fact of life in healthcare. What’s changing is how some organizations are choosing to respond.

Rather than waiting for final rules to land, many leaders are running tabletop exercises and “what-if” planning sessions across departments. Legal, HR, compliance, and operations teams sit down together quarterly to map out scenarios and figure out how quickly they could adapt if needed.

This kind of collaboration doesn’t just help with preparedness—it builds internal relationships that pay off in other ways. When the next surprise hits, people already know who to call and how to work through it.

Retaining Staff by Listening First

Everyone in the industry is feeling the pressure of workforce instability. Burnout, turnover, and hiring gaps aren’t going away anytime soon. But some executives are shifting focus from short-term fixes to long-term trust.

That starts with listening—really listening. Not just exit interviews, but ongoing conversations with people across teams. When leaders take time to understand what’s working, what’s not, and where there’s room to grow, they uncover opportunities that no survey can reveal on its own.

In one children’s hospital, staff turnover dropped by nearly 20 percent after the leadership team introduced small but meaningful changes, like mentorship circles and optional wellness hours. None of it required major budget shifts—just a willingness to pay attention and act.

Making Cybersecurity a Leadership Issue

Cyber threats are no longer IT problems—they’re business risks. And more leaders are treating them that way.

In some systems, cybersecurity dashboards now sit alongside clinical quality and financial metrics in board packets. When senior leaders talk about patient safety, they include data privacy in the same breath.

This shift isn’t about scaring people—it’s about making security part of the culture. Everyone has a role, and that starts at the top.

Change Is Here to Stay—How You Handle It Is What Matters

If there’s one theme that comes up again and again in conversations with healthcare leaders, it’s this: change isn’t going anywhere. But how teams experience it? That’s where leadership really shows up.

The executives who thrive in this environment aren’t the ones who try to control every variable. They’re the ones who build teams that can adapt, ask questions, and move forward—together.

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This article was produced in partnership with GetGloby. Review our AI Standards here. 

Source List:  

1. Synodus. “Electronic Health Records: A Case Study in Healthcare Digital Transformation.” https://synodus.com/blog/healthcare/electronic-health-records-case-study/
2. Walden University. “Exploring Strategies Healthcare Leaders Use to Implement Electronic Medical Records Effectively.” https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/12497/
3. V-Comply. “Regulatory Readiness: Practical Tips to Get It Right.” https://www.v-comply.com/blog/regulatory-readiness-practical-tips-to-get-it-right/
4. Compliancy Group. “Healthcare Compliance Readiness: Are You Prepared?” https://compliancy-group.com/healthcare-compliance-readiness/
5. WellSteps. “Wellness Programs Increase Employee Retention.” https://www.wellsteps.com/blog/2022/06/14/wellness-programs-increase-employee-retention/
6. Intellify. “Innovative Employee Retention Strategies for Healthcare Organizations.” https://www.intellify.com/blog/innovative-employee-retention-strategies-for-healthcare-organizations
7. IBM. “Boardroom Cyber Expertise Comes Under Scrutiny.” https://www.ibm.com/think/insights/boardroom-cyber-expertise-scrutiny/
8. Korn Ferry. “Cybersecurity in the Boardroom.” https://www.kornferry.com/institute/cybersecurity-in-the-boardroom

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