Ep. 189 Trauma Surgery to Conflict Resolution: Dr. Shannon Foster’s Journey to Healing Healthcare Teams

šŸ”Ž Episode Highlights

Career Evolution and Motivation

  • Dr. Foster shares her journey from growing up in a working-class family in Ohio to becoming a trauma surgeon.

  • Discusses how experiences in diverse healthcare settings—from academic to rural—revealed widespread communication issues.

  • COVID-19 became a catalyst for shifting toward consulting, helping physicians navigate workplace conflicts.

Identifying Workplace Problems and Seeking Help

  • Common issues include HR conflicts, legal concerns, or interpersonal problems affecting clinical performance.

  • Dr. Foster’s process involves deeply exploring the context, policies, and communications surrounding a conflict.

  • Listeners can connect with her:

Understanding Institutional Policies and Employee Rights

  • Importance of knowing:

    • Employment contracts

    • Policy manuals

    • Bylaws and HR reporting protocols

  • Transparency in areas like workload distribution and salary is key to preventing misunderstandings.

Communication and Healthy Relationships

  • Communication is crucial for maintaining healthy workplace dynamics.

  • Misalignments in team vision often escalate into conflict.

  • Encourages proactive relationship-building to foster respect and mutual support.

Elevating Issues and Defining Bullying and Harassment

  • How to recognize when issues should go to HR or legal:

    • Bullying = misuse of authority to undermine others

    • Harassment = violation of personal autonomy (includes sexual harassment and interference with patient care)

  • Positive conflict can drive growth; negative conflict damages morale and productivity.

Strategies for Individuals and Departments

  • Leadership skills and talent management are vital for a healthy team culture.

  • Encourages leaders to:

    • Improve meeting structures

    • Ensure all voices are heard

    • Align team visions to reduce conflict

Business Information and Goal

  • Dr. Foster offers a 30-minute free consultation for individuals or organizations seeking help with workplace conflict.

  • Her mission: support surgeons’ well-being and retention in the workforce, ultimately improving patient care.

āœ… Action Items

  • Reach out to Dr. Foster:

  • Take advantage of the free 30-minute consultation if facing workplace challenges.

  • Review your institutional policies and communication strategies to prevent conflict escalation.