Dorrier Underwood

Frank, or “the King” as he was known behind his back, was drafted out of near retirement to lead a new initiative for the Southeast region.  Liza, who ruled the  Emergency Department, was drafted to be his partner . Together, they were commissioned with launching the new medical model for short term acute care.  Some called it the most important patient and value centered initiative of the year. Except that when I met them, they were battling each other on a daily basis. Both thought they were in charge, both knew they were right, and both wanted to have their way.  Besides, weren’t they hired for their ideas and expertise? Liza and Frank were attempting to work together, but neither had really partnered with another professional to build anything for most of their careers.   As a result, the doctors were angry at the nurses, the nurses blamed the doctors for the initial mistakes, and the executives were pulling their hair out, trying to get Frank and...

One of Dorrier Underwood’s tools for building relationships is to use creative writing as a path to discovery and authentic communication. We’ve long used the practice internally, and are happy to expand it to include blogging, as a way for us to share our exploration – and process of exploration - with you.  Nancy Dorrier, thought leader, co-founder, and president of Dorrier Underwood, starts us off with a reflection on creative alignment. What is it?  I listen to ourselves. Our intern used to say we interrupt a lot. She isn’t saying or not saying, Wow you guys listen a lot . She isn’t even being critical. “I am just saying.” Then I listen to a friend and his wife talk on top of each other and I don’t know which one to respond to. Trucking along in the conversation and here comes another voice. What is the value of 2 brains or 3 brains? Someone is thinking beyond, or at least other than the way I think, and the way you think. You and I can only think what we ...