Relationships and Innovation

For an O&P leadership survey, I defined three distinct groups of people: those who are technical-, human-, or conceptual-oriented.¹ When asked to choose between tasks and relationships to achieve transformational goals, all three groups rated relationships as the most effective. I thought tasks might be highest among technical- and human-oriented people, and even for conceptual people, but I was wrong. There was a commonality in that we learn together.

In a 2021 survey, I asked what aspects of innovation were rated highest for O&P clinicians. The areas they understood the most were the ability of innovation to improve quality of life, improve patient-clinician relationships, and provide functional advantages.² What they rated lowest was being the first to use new technology, incorporate it in clinical process, and become efficient with its use. In short, clinicians understand what innovation can mean, but are not confident in their ability to adapt to it, as well as tell the compelling narrative. This shows what causes the greatest sense of risk and anxiety.