President's Welcome Letter
February, 2012
Welcome All:
As the new Chapter year commences: Take a further step with CHEF this year --- maybe it's a new one, another one, or maybe a bigger one. Join fellow CHEF members in exploring how we, as healthcare leaders, can Innovate, Collaborate and Integrate further, as individuals and organizations, to enhance the ways we meet the needs of people we serve.
Will this be a worthwhile step and time well spent? Might the options presented just look like "already plowed ground" or seem trivial? It all depends on your field of vision.
Time engaged in an endeavor is well spent; it should be considered successful - when we learn something, take some risk and have fun, so says a graduate school dean and respected friend. It seems to me a straightforward and easy set of measurement criteria, that strikes at the heart of leadership and one's continued development of it:
- Leaders must constantly be learning. Learning about ideas big and bold. Learning about smaller things, that make everyday things happen with everyday people.
- Leaders must take some risk - and the most successful ones, although with prudence, embrace it. And, risk comes in many forms and all sizes of demand.
- Leaders must have fun. More than just celebration, "fun" is: about demonstrating what fun is positive attitude, passion and joy, regardless of the challenge, in a way which inspires others to do the same.
May today be the first of many ways this year in which you take a step and enjoy these benefits of CHEF. CHEF is your Chapter. With you involved, the programming, networking, volunteer and other activities will offer all -- opportunities to learn, take some risk and have fun!
All the best for a most successful year ahead -
Christopher T Looby, FACHE
President
