Innovation for healthcare reform: Creating opportunities to explore, expand and excel

Abstract

Abstract In the face of an uncertain future, ongoing political turbulence, the global economic downturn, and the frequent changes to the direction of healthcare reform in many countries, healthcare leaders face daunting challenges. As a consequence, healthcare managers at all levels need to be willing to discard the thinking and behaviours of their past and to learn new ways to embrace the opportunities before them. In short, meaningful reform in healthcare depends on innovation. Moreover, innovation is a core and critical leadership competency for sustained superior performance. This paper offers new skills and tools based on the principles of creativity and innovation. Using these tools, leaders can: have more productive conversations with their leadership teams; improve their ability to facilitate management sessions to deal more effectively with critical business issues; produce meaningful action and results to overcome the obstacles of healthcare reform; and have a greater appreciation that the premium on creativity is rising.