Four years ago, PHI’s National Director of Training and Organizational Development Susan Misiorski authored Getting Started, a handbook on implementing culture change, published by the Pioneer Network. The handbook has been a great success, but many Pioneers have asked for more direction regarding which changes to tackle when.

In response, Misiorski has teamed up with independent consultant and culture change expert Joanne Rader to author a new chapter titled, “Selecting and Prioritizing Changes.”

Both Misiorski and Rader have been supporting elder care and disability services providers to implement person-directed culture change for over 20 years. Below is an interview with them about the new chapter, which is available free at both the PHI and Pioneer Network websites.

What prompted you to write an additional chapter for the original Getting Started Handbook?

Rader: Providers were asking for this. We have seen excellent leaders struggle with issues that were a result of selecting the wrong project–for example projects that are too small, too big for the organization’s level of readiness, or have no clear impact on elder quality of life.

How does this chapter support better project selection?

Misiorski: The chapter introduces two tools, a gap analysis and a critical-thinking frame. These tools help to guide a change team through a thoughtful, data driven decision-making process that is inclusive of elder, family and staff voices. The chapter applies these two tools to multiple examples so readers can gain a deeper understanding of how they work.

How does a reader access the new chapter?

Rader: Readers can download the new chapter at www.PHInational.org/training (pdf); it will also be available soon at www.PioneerNetwork.net. We decided to offer this new chapter for free download to maximize dissemination and to ensure individuals who already purchased the full handbook could access the chapter at no additional cost.

What additional information is in the Getting Started Handbook and how do I get it?

Misiorski: The original handbook is available for $99.00 at the Pioneer Network’s bookstore. The handbook includes:

• A reproducible chapter explaining what culture change is. Share this with staff, elders and families.
• A process for developing and/or revising mission, vision, and values with high involvement of elders, families and staff.
• An organizational assessment ensuring measurements are built into the change process.
• Multiple staff inservice modules. There are 4 inservices included for each of the 13 Pioneer Network Values (pdf).