When I first shifted into healthcare in 2005, many people recommended the book Hardwiring Excellence by Quint Studer. I read it and posted a few thoughts about the book, from a then-partial reading, in early 2006:
I did finish the book and found a lot of parallels and similarity between Lean and what are often known as “Studer Group methods.” I agree when I see health systems looking to combine both approaches rather than seeing them as competing.
I re-read the book recently, which was an interesting thing to revisit after more than ten years. I still think the connections are really strong and I'll be blogging more about that re-read of the book and my reflections.
A shared a few nuggets via Twitter:
More from @quintstuder on #leadership – #Lean pic.twitter.com/3GAxSW7tYb
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) April 6, 2017
I agree with @quint_studer on this. Dr #Deming used to teach this idea too. Stop demotivating people. pic.twitter.com/oElyTaaOQ7
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) May 30, 2017
Same idea, different wonderful sources… both @quint_studer & @AuthorPascal emphasize "hearts AND minds" pic.twitter.com/8l8kvd7WGd
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) June 16, 2017
In my informal discussions with Studer Group leaders over the past few years, they agree that Lean is complementary and mutually supportive with Studer Group principles and methods.
I've continued to follow their work and publications… and I was honored when Quint agreed to give an endorsement blurb for my book Lean Hospitals:
“Leaders of today's healthcare organizations are on a continuous journey to improve results, requiring a relentless focus on improving the underlying process of care delivery and leadership practices. Mark has written a book that provides compelling ideas to help create better places to work, practice medicine and receive safe, high quality care.”
In recent months, I've been talking with Studer Group about collaborating with them as a speaker for some of their events and clients (or, to use their term, “partners”).
I'm happy to announce that my first appearance will be at their annual “What's Right in Healthcare” Conference, being held in Chicago, August 1st through 3rd. The three-day conference attracts more than 1,000 administrative and clinical healthcare professionals and has presenters from many high-performing organizations from the U.S. and Canada.
Register by July 21 to save $200 off the cost of your registration. Use code WRIHC2017 at checkout.
As part of our session, I'll be talking about the important role that leaders can play (or need to play) in engaging everybody in continuous improvement.
I hope you can join us. If you're going to be attending, let me know or say hi!
Please scroll down (or click) to post a comment. Connect with me on LinkedIn.
Let’s work together to build a culture of continuous improvement and psychological safety. If you're a leader looking to create lasting change—not just projects—I help organizations:
- Engage people at all levels in sustainable improvement
- Shift from fear of mistakes to learning from them
- Apply Lean thinking in practical, people-centered ways
Interested in coaching or a keynote talk? Let’s start a conversation.
