June! Summertime! Picnics, parties and campouts. Up here in the Rocky Mountain West, camping is a favorite pastime of many, including my family. We would gather together in ways that were different than our everyday pattern. We spent time without technology. We had conversations. We told stories. We made memories that still today, years later, bring a magical feeling and tighten the bond we have as a family. 

I share this reflection with you, because I think there is a correlation of those events and our organizations. As leaders of the human side of health care, we have an opportunity to weave in ways to connect as people and strengthen the ties that bind our organizations. 

Take a few moments in the quiet this month to consider how you can more often pull people away from the keyboard and into the conversation. Consider how you can develop your ability to tell an impactful story. People remember stories. Stories drive home messages in more powerful ways than a spreadsheet ever could. During times of change, which many of us are experiencing, stories help to keep the group aligned and remind us of our common purpose. 

I’d invite you to think for a moment about "why" you are in health care. As human resource professionals, we can move across many industries. Health care is different. It is special. It is noble work. Look for ways that you can share your "why" with those around you. Share your story. You may be surprised by the magical feeling it creates and the bonds that develop.

Happy summer!