FIRST PART:

Addressing Challenges that Arise in Strategic-Planning Meetings

No matter what your role is in an organization, you will most likely attend a significant number of meetings. For strategic planning in particular, meetings are an essential part of each phase of the process. What challenges have you noticed in the meetings you have attended? Why is it important to deal with these challenges effectively? Reflect on the following scenarios:

You are part of the team that is charged with developing your organization’s strategic plan. During the brainstorming session, one of your colleagues criticizes all of the ideas that come up.

It is time to prioritize and engage in goal setting for your organization, yet the group does not reach consensus.

You are presenting the proposed operational plan to your team members and want to get their feedback. During the meeting, two of the team members do not participate in the discussion.

Your organization has just opened a new center and you have called a meeting to discuss what is working well and what challenges have arisen. When you ask the group members to share their perspectives, everyone is silent.

The data from a survey that your organization is using to monitor and evaluate a product launched last year indicates that many customers are dissatisfied. You call a meeting to discuss the survey data. During the meeting, one person talks over others’ comments.

Select one of the scenarios above to focus on for this Discussion.

What steps would you take to address this challenge?

Review the tools included in the Memory Jogger 2. Which tools would you utilize in this particular situation?

What additional skills would help you and others to address this challenge?

In the first line of your posting, identify the scenario you have selected.

Describe how you would address this situation, indicating which tools and skills would be most beneficial for facilitating a positive outcome.

SECOND PART:

Congratulations!

You are nearing the end of this course and the completion of the Master of Healthcare Administration program. Take a few minutes to reflect on your journey. What have you learned? What skills and competencies have you developed? How has your perception of yourself as a professional grown?

Think about the needs and concerns that drive today’s health care organizations. How will you contribute to the success of these organizations? How will you promote your own effectiveness as a health care leader?

Prepare for this Discussion as follows:

Review the media segment “Strategic Planning in Action: Jhpiego.” What insights regarding the contemporary leader’s role in strategic planning and management can you draw from Dr. Leslie Mancuso’s discussion of the global health organization Jhpiego? Bring to mind additional examples of the strategic challenges and leadership dilemmas that have been presented throughout this course.

As a leader, what message would you offer about the importance of strategic planning and management in today’s health care organizations?

What competencies are most beneficial for a leader to have? Consider your own strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in this regard. How will you plan to continue developing your leadership competencies following completion of this Master of Healthcare Administration program?

Present a well developed message regarding the importance of strategic planning and management in today’s health care organizations.

Describe three or four competencies that you will continue to develop moving forward as well as how you plan to do so. Include an analysis of the most significant strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that inform your response.