Using I2E2: Step 1 – Involving the Team and Creating a Vision
Interim leaders are frequently challenged to engage a new team in improvements and change. The first month of a nurse leader’s time with a team is about discovery: Appreciative Inquiry (AI). The focus is to gain an understanding of the organization, the department, and the team.
The organization has a vision, and it is likely that everyone in your department has a different idea about what that vision means. In addition, the team may not comprehend how their department and team fit into that vision.
The March blog was about presenting the findings of your interviews and observations to the team members. How do you now engage everyone in the next steps? Developing a team vision is the first and necessary step in inspiring your team members to fully engage. The vision declares “what we are here to do”. 1
In that presentation of findings, the team identifies the work to be done. Now, you must help them create a vision with that end in mind. That vision will be used as a touchstone for all you do on the way to making the vision live in the daily workings of the department and of the team. 2
I2E2 is a Leadership Style
I2E2 is not a step-by-step formula for creating change, it is a way of thinking about change. In the first month, you exercised Appreciative Inquiry. You looked at what is: working to appreciate what is working and what is not. You discovered what is effective and can now focus on what is possible. You can help the team appreciate what is already in place and what is working. The team can now work more effectively.
I2E2 starts with the Vision
Without establishing a forward-looking vision, you cannot be sure everyone is rallying to the same cause. A vision energizes and engages the team. It creates the focus on what the team has decided really matters. The vision gives clarity to discussions and decisions. If an activity is not supporting the vision, it is ended. Vision is the filter for decisions and keeps the team from becoming sidetracked.
Creating the Vision
Set aside a team meeting for the Vision setting process. Ask these questions and have team members contribute their thoughts.3
- What are the problems we have identified in the recent team meetings?
- Why are these problems important to address?
- Do these problems matter to others? Do they matter to the organization?
- Do we have solutions to the problems?
- Are there changes we believe we can make?
- What are the greatest strengths of the team and department?
- What is our dream for our department?
- What would things be like if this dream came true?
- Can the team all share in this dream?
There are many ways to proceed. The internet contains many recommendations for vision building. Your team members may easily come up with a vision in this meeting. One method that has been successful is for the team members to work in small groups to identify words and phrases that they feel define the vision. A smaller group can then review all the ideas and words and recommend a few vision statements for a final vote.
Time to Celebrate
Now it is time for a celebration as the new department and team vision is rolled out. This vision statement needs to be visible and used frequently in your interactions. It is your rallying cry to the team to move forward and reach the ultimate goals (vision) that they have created.
Come back in May for the final article in this series in which we explore the continued use of I2E2 to inspire and lead real and lasting change.
November Blog: Healthcare is in Crisis Mode- Interim Healthcare Leaders Needed More than Ever.
December Blog: Using principles of Appreciative Inquiry to win the trust and build relationships
January Blog: Develop the big picture: What is working
February Blog: Presentation to the executive/leadership team
March Blog: Presentation to the department team.
April Blog: Using I2E2: involving the team and creating a vision
May Blog: Creating change that continues after the assignment ends.
- Available online at https://www.makeadentleadership.com/developing-a-team-vision-statement/
- Felgen, J. Leading Lasting Change I2E2: Creative Healthcare Management Inc. 2011. p 44
- Available online at: https://resultscoaching.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Team-Vision-2.png