Tip of the week: Time away from the office just as important

The strength of relationships and goodwill that comes from physicians, administrators, and boards spending time together in social activities both in and away from the hospital can be enormous. Invest in social capital, which is characterized as the network, norms, and trust that help to facilitate coordination and cooperation for the mutual benefit of individuals in groups. Social contacts strengthen the norm of generalized reciprocity, which says that "I’ll do this for you without expecting anything immediately in return." The physicians and hospitals that can facilitate social networks, norms of reciprocity, and increased trust through structured access will have a distinct competitive advantage as they can facilitate cooperation for the mutual benefit of resolving conflict and achieving desired goals.

This week’s tip is from Medical Staff Leaders’ Practical Guide.