Understanding Change: Insights Into Lasting Workforce Transformation

by Maddie Dixon

Read Part 1: Pathways to Change: Exploring the Impact of Human Development in Healthcare

Read Part 2: The Impact of Leadership on Workplace Culture and Engagement

In my recent installments on The Catalyst, we examined why human development is important in healthcare and how implementing a sustainable strategy looks in practice. As organizations embark on their own development journeys, two fundamental questions arise about the future of this work:

How will we know if we've made a lasting impact? And why will human development remain crucial, even as technology transforms healthcare?

Human development requires more than just a snapshot of engagement scores or retention rates; it calls for understanding the deeper, less tangible shifts in an organization's culture. While data like patient experience metrics and employee surveys are incredibly valuable, the stories and daily interactions often reveal just as much about the progress happening on the ground.

To capture these insights comprehensively, we partner closely with our clients to understand impact through multiple lenses. We begin by establishing baselines in their organizational data and through pre-program assessments. We also track transformations over time in attitudes, skills, and confidence as participants progress through their Practicing Excellence programs. Our ongoing monitoring encompasses everything from practical engagement indicators—like program completion rates and user activity—to broader organizational metrics that signal lasting change.

But numbers tell only part of the story. The real magic happens in the daily moments of transformation: a team member applying a new skill learned,  a leader implementing feedback techniques that energize their team, or a colleague collaborating in ways that inspires innovation and quality care. These qualitative insights, gathered through team member feedback, leadership observations, and regular pulse checks, bring color and context to our data.

As one leader reflected after watching a coaching tip in their leadership program: "Note to self: subtle changes can make a big difference—acknowledging effort, bringing hope, learning from mistakes/feedback, self-awareness." This insight captures the essence of human development - it's often the small, consistent changes that create lasting impact.

The Lasting Role of Human Development in a Technologically-Driven Future

Now, going back to our second question: Why will human development remain crucial even as technology transforms healthcare?

There's no doubt healthcare will experience significant changes in the coming years as AI and other technological advancements continue to emerge. We're already seeing these changes, from AI analyzing medical images to detect conditions earlier to automated systems streamlining administrative tasks like scheduling and documentation.

However, I believe that human development will continue to be vital, no matter what technological advancements lie ahead. Here's why:

1. Empathy and Connection. Technology can assist with data and diagnostics, but empathy, understanding, and interpersonal connection are uniquely human strengths. Supporting development around these attributes ensures that care remains personal and patient-centered, even as digital tools become more prevalent.

2. Resilience and Adaptability. As technological change accelerates, teams need the skills to adapt—whether that's mastering new digital platforms, navigating regulatory shifts, or responding to unexpected global health challenges. Continuous learning and skill-building keep healthcare teams agile and prepared for an increasingly dynamic future.

3. Leadership and Culture. A culture grounded in human development is one that embraces both growth and innovation. By focusing on leadership's role in setting a positive, open culture, healthcare organizations can better navigate technological changes while maintaining their core mission of human-centered care.

To me, it's clear that technology and human development aren't competing forces; they're complementary strengths. The healthcare organizations that will thrive tomorrow are the ones investing in both today. They understand that while technology can enhance efficiency and accuracy, it's human skills that transform these capabilities into exceptional patient care. By continuing to invest in human development alongside technological advancement, we create healthcare environments where both people and technology can reach their full potential in the service of better patient care. 

When we understand the power of human development, we can notice transformation in everyday moments—a clinician finding renewed joy in patient interactions, a leader connecting more deeply with their team, or an entire department rallying around shared goals. These are the moments that truly bring human development to life and reinforce our belief in the value of this work.

To better understand how we partner with organizations to deliver measurable results in human development, connect with us.