Sarah Crawford-Bohl

In healthcare where stakes are high, our willingness to raise concerns can be vital to the quality of care we provide, but also to the safety of patients and the care team.

In fact, research also tells us that when we do speak up,

We experience more job satisfaction, increased team morale, and in my world, support better patient outcomes.

I've experienced this for myself.

Now, I don't have all the answers, and I don't always get it right.

In fact, I make a mess of it sometimes.

But often I've found it's a bit like cardio or weightlifting.

Well, we feel a bit vulnerable at the time.

With practice, we start to experience the benefits.

It gets easier and we get better at it.

We need to find a path to help us get past that initial fight, flight, or freeze response to get us to the table and make leaning into uncomfortable conversations the desired action for our own benefit, as well as to benefit those around us.

Now, I was fortunate.

I had some amazing role modeling by parents who encouraged me to use my voice, specifically when I knew I should but didn't want to.

My mom, an intensive care nurse for many years, had a special ability to address tough topics, traumas, embarrassing bodily functions, or sharing critical feedback.

she always created airtime for normally avoided matters.

With a fierce moral compass that was sometimes incredibly frustrating, she advocated for what was right, showing me the importance of standing up for oneself and others, even when uncomfortable to do so.

My mom, she died a long time ago now, and I still miss her desperately.

Something I think I miss the most, though, is her always knowing the right thing to do and the way she guided me with that moral compass.

And despite having a couple of degrees under my belt, lessons learned from that moral compass, they guide me more than any of my formal learning.

She showed me that as leaders, and I mean all leaders, both formal and informal,