Getting Personal with leaders at The Hong Kong Hospital Authority
"It's easy to introduce a leadership concept or fact, but getting people to buy-in to a change in approach is a completely different story", explains Paul Jewitt-Harris, Lane4's Practice Director for Asia.
When the Hong Kong Hospital Authority (HA) began searching for a new Chief Executive they looked internally first to try and identify the right leadership talent for the job. On recognising that the necessary potential could not be found within, they recruited externally, and therein began the Lane4 and Hospital Authority partnership.
"We needed to deliver a programme that would support succession management by developing an authentic leadership approach", explains Paul, "The HA wants future leaders to come from within and, for that to happen, they must understand how their personal journey has brought them to where they are today and how it can help shape their future."
"Ensuring that leaders develop their own, authentic style is vital. They need to understand how their values are aligned with their approach, so 360 degree feedback helped us to develop this awareness."
"It’s also critical that lessons from the programme are integrated into people’s day to day work and not just left in the ‘classroom’, which is a constant danger with any type of learning and development activity."
So, with practical application at the heart of the programme, participants have to undertake a stretch assignment to challenge their preferences, try something different and apply their fresh learning in a relevant way.
Dr Nelson Watt was assigned to relocate the Heart Centre at Grantham Hospital to another site, a complex change process which requires multiple stakeholder commitment. The project had been in the planning stages for a number of years, but had yet to be implemented successfully.
"Using the communication and influencing skills I developed, I have been able to involve and engage key stakeholders in the decision-making process. This has led to greater understanding and a gradual increase in buy-in within the HA."
Paul continues "The stretch assignments were crucial but another key factor of the programme’s success, is the partnership between Lane4 and the HA."
"We know that a ‘one size fits all’ approach doesn’t work, so are continually responding to feedback and reaction to tailor the programme’s structure and content each year."
To read more about The Hospital Authority Story, download our PDF case study below.
2008-12-09