Unbelievably, November 27th marked the 30th anniversary of the movie Rocky IV. For those of you who have a hard time telling the difference between the Rocky films, this is the one where Rocky takes on the invincible Soviet Boxer Ivan Drago to avenge (albeit, in a small way) the death of his pal Apollo. In the process, Rocky wins over the hostile Moscow crowd, and in a victory speech for the ages, exclaims, “If I can change, and if you can change, we can all change!”
In typical Rocky fashion, the middle of the movie is an early MTV-like, video music montage of Stallone’s iconic character taking the pre-fight work out in the Siberian Mountains to Herculean levels. Just before the fight, and only when he feels he is completely prepared, Rocky pulls the black and white picture of Drago off the mirror, and crumbles it with transparent foreshadowing. So, when it comes to patient care, what is your organization’s Drago? What is the big thing that is standing in your way of victory?
Identifying can be difficult. It may not be as obvious as a 6’4” Russian in the opposite corner, but once you identify it, you have to take a Rocky-like approach or risk ending up face down on the mat like Apollo. All too often as leaders, we know exactly what it is going to take to win when it comes to patient care, but for some reason, we are reluctant to act. It could be a key new hire. A more robust orientation. Improved training of front line employees. Fixing a broken process. Or turning around those two departments that are simply killing you.
Regardless of what the ‘Drago’ is, my experience is focus, planning, hard-work, action and results will get you and the team where they need to be. When it comes to patient care, identify your Drago and then, like Rocky, knock it out and win big!
