Episode #19: Partnership Infrastructures: A key Strategy for Leveraging the Vertical and Horizontal Relationship Polarity with Bonnie Wesorick

Partnership Infrastructures: A key Strategy for Leveraging the Vertical and Horizontal Relationship Polarity with Bonnie Wesorick

Introduction to Episode:

Have you ever wondered how healthcare organizations became so hierarchical or why we struggle with hierarchical relationships in our healthcare environments? 

In today’s episode, we discuss the hierarchy (vertical) and partnership (horizontal) relationship polarity in the healthcare settings with Bonnie Wesorick. 

Bonnie has over 40 years of experience in helping organizations establish partnership infrastructures that lead to the creation of healthy cultures.

There is a long history in the evolution of the hierarchical cultures in healthcare and Bonnie sheds some light on this history in addition to helping us understand why it has persisted over time.  

“It [the hierarchical relationships] seemed appropriate, until it didn’t” said Bonnie Wesorick.

When we experience hierarchical relationships as negative or as a problem, it’s natural to want to move away from the experience and toward the opposite, more partnering relationships. 

Do you know what it means or takes to have partnering relationships?

Organizational leaders sometimes say relationship building is the “soft” stuff, but it is the hardest work.

Ever wonder why partnering relationships are so hard to develop and maintain? 

Partnering relationships don’t just happen.  The development of partnering relationships requires an intentionally designed infrastructure.

We discuss with Bonnie the role intentionally designed infrastructures play in providing a place for connection, focus on the shared mission, and skill development and the impact they have on creating a healthy culture.

Join us for this enlightening conversation and the lessons learned across the span of more than 40 years of creating partnership infrastructures and healthy cultures.  

During this episode we discuss:

·         Historically healthcare was based on infrastructures like church, the military, and academia.  These

are structures that are hierarchical in nature and based on power.

·         The term hierarchy brings up negative feelings/emotions for those that have lived in the downside of

it.

·         When work is dehumanized more can get done faster.

·         Unhealthy cultures impact practice and represents the disconnected souls in the organization.

·         We need a new way of thinking about vertical relationships and an infrastructure to learn about

partnership every day.

·         Governance is not the center of relationships.  Mission lies at the center of relationships, it’s what

connects us.

·         Connecting with others around the mission is powerful.

·         Polarities show up with complaints which are early warning signs.

·         Culture work begins with the individual.

·         Culture is invisible but it can be “felt”.

·         There is a need for both vertical and horizontal relationships to establish a healthy culture. 

·         The vertical and horizontal polarity and how well it is leveraged is core to a healthy work culture.

·         Infrastructures that focus on developing partnering relationships provide a safe place for individuals

to practice being different with their peers

·         This polarity is not going away, so there is time and many opportunities to work on leveraging it.

·         Three biggest lessons around developing a partnership infrastructure.

Teaching Points:

·         Both types of relationships are necessary to establish to a healthy work culture.

·         If you are in a position of power be aware of how your preference can influence how well or poorly

this polarity is leveraged.

·         Infrastructures provide the place and space to develop partnering relationships.

Related episodes:

Episode #2  Barry Johnson & Bonnie Wesorick: Living Legends

Episode #9  Interprofessional Collaboration:  The Upside of Hierarchy

 References:

Wesorick, B. (2016). Polarity Thinking in Healthcare:  The Missing Logic to Achieve Transformation. Amherst, MA, HRD Press, Inc.

Wesorick, B., Shiparski, L., Troseth, M. R., & Wyngarden, K. (1997).  Partnership Council Field Book.  Grand Rapids, MI:  Practice Field Publishing.

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