Holding the line
Mark N. Simon, MD, describes How hospitals should deal with disruptive physician behavior by starting with UO coach Kelly’s dilemma. Whether it is your team’s football quarterback or a disruptive physician in the hospital or a volunteer on your team that acts out in inappropriate ways, you, as leader, must also act. Disruptive or inappropriate behavior is a disease and it will destroy team motivation and effectiveness if allowed to foster. Here is what the leader must do:
- Expected behaviors should be clearly delineated.
- Consequences for divergence from these behaviors should also be delineated.
- The type of punishment should be in line with the severity of the infraction.
- Consequences should increase in a step-wise fashion for repetitive infractions.
- Clear communication should occur at each and every instance.
Note that there is nothing in this list about the offender. It is the behavior that is at issue; not the person. Your job as leader is to make sure that you can tell the difference and put the focus on behavior.