Steve Andrews joins us to share the five important questions that will help you check in with your colleagues, rather than check up on them. Through these five questions, leaders can find out how their people really are, help them to solve their own problems and communicate empathy and support. 

[05:00] Rebuilding the NHS after the COVID Crisis

• Steve likens the recent COVID crisis to circumstances after the Second World War.
• Listening to the workforce and taking care of their psychological well-being is essential.

[08:28] Why Compassionate Leadership Is Important

• Fear generates particular knee-jerk reactions and anxieties where people are quick to make decisions.
• When you start to explore the art of medicine, you will be concerned with how you can collaborate with colleagues and other teams.

[12:08] Stopping the Command/Control Leadership Model from Coming Back

• Evidence shows that compassionate leadership worked well during the COVID pandemic.
• Steve hopes that this becomes the driver to make compassionate leadership the norm.

[13:24] Checking Up vs Checking In

• Checking up means that you’re asking someone if they’ve done a particular task.
• Meanwhile, checking in means that you’re asking about the well-being of the person.

[17:42] The 5 Questions of Compassionate Leadership

• Question number 1: How are you doing? 
• Question number 2: How is your team doing?
• Question number 3: How are your colleagues doing?
• Question number 4: How can you help them? 
• Question number 5: How do I serve you?

[29:52] Results from Asking the Five Questions 

• Steve shares that other hospitals in the UK picked up the five questions. 
• Eventually, they became a training program.
• These questions emphasise connection, coaching, listening, and serving. 

[33:09] Who Can Use the Five Questions?

• Steve uses these questions to start conversations with people. 
• The questions became a movement instead of just a tool.

[36:12] Making a Difference with PTSD

• Steve has a portfolio of personal messages and gratitudes for using the five questions.
• People find value in using the 5 questions to form connections.

[39:08] Tips on Using the 5 Questions

• Know that you’ve asked a fundamental question.
• Don’t give yourself tasks that are too big.
• Give yourself time.

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Podcast Links

• Permission to Thrive
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