Recently, HOPA’s senior staff retreated from the day-to-day for a few hours and spent time talking about something that is easy to say but much harder to do well: collaboration.
This retreat gave us an opportunity to pause and ask ourselves some important questions: What does effective collaboration look like, where are we working well together, and where can we improve?
As we continue implementing HOPA’s new strategic plan, we need to think about not only what we accomplish, but how we accomplish it. A strong strategy requires strong teamwork, and that means breaking down the walls that can naturally develop between departments, programs, and areas of responsibility.
At the end of the day, our members see one HOPA. Our challenge and our opportunity are to make sure we work together as one organization to best serve our members and advance the profession.
Our conversations were honest and, at times, challenging. We talked about what is working well and where we sometimes get in our own way. We talked about the importance of bringing the right people into conversations early, communicating clearly, and making sure everyone understands who is responsible for making a decision and following through.
Collaboration is a leadership responsibility. It isn't just about how our senior staff work together. It extends to our board and committee leaders, and to everyone who helps lead HOPA.
The consensus from that day was that when we listen to different perspectives, communicate openly, and keep our shared goals at the center of our work, we create a stronger organization. Ultimately, a strong organization means a better experience for our members. Our board and committee leaders play an important role in shaping that culture. When staff and volunteer leaders model these behaviors together, we create an organization where people feel heard, ideas can flourish, and we can move forward with a shared sense of purpose.
This kind of collaboration becomes even more important as we look ahead to the next five years. Our goals are ambitious, and achieving them will require us to think beyond individual programs and departments. We need to look for connections, share ideas and expertise, and work together to create opportunities that are greater than what any one team could accomplish on its own.
A retreat is easy to measure in hours spent together. The real measure is what happens afterward.
For me, the retreat was a reminder that how we work together matters just as much as what we accomplish. And if we do that well, the ultimate beneficiary isn't just HOPA – it’s our members, patients, and the profession we serve.
