Literature Review

Innovations in serious illness care with Bree Owens Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast by Chris Comeaux; 2/19/25 In this episode of TCNtalks, host Chris Comeaux interviews Bree Owens, a licensed clinical social worker and co-founder of The Holding Group.  They discuss Bree’s journey in the healthcare field, particularly in Palliative Care. Bree shares insights on learning the importance of meaningful conversations with patients and their families about care options, which led her to the unique model of The Holding Group.  Her organization has created space, hence the name The Holding Group, for a patient-centered approach, helping patients and their families find the right care at the right place and at the right time.  Bree emphasizes the significance of informed consent and the role of social workers in facilitating these discussions to enhance patient outcomes and satisfaction.

Avow completes $35,000 training grant provided by FutureMakers Coalition Florida Weekly - Fort Myers Edition, Fort Myers, FL; 2/12/25 Avow recently completed the Healthcare Leadership course as part of a $35,000 grant awarded by FutureMakers Coalition at Collaboratory. Made possible by nearly $23 million in federal funding from the Economic Development Administration’s Good Jobs Challenge, FutureMakers Coalition connects those who need to reskill and/or upskill any, including underemployed and unemployed, Southwest Florida residents with training for industry-recognized credentials and, ultimately, careers with local employers committed to this partnership.

UC professor seeks to make death care more inclusive: Equal Deathcare offers resources for the LGBTQIA+ community University of Cincinnati News (UC News); by Kyle Shaner; 2/12/25Jennifer Wright-Berryman, PhD, an associate professor of social work in UC’s College of Allied Health Sciences, is one of the founders of Equal Deathcare, a web-based resource where LGBTQIA+ individuals can find inclusive and affirming end-of-life and death care (funerals, memorials and pre-planning). “Groups that are at risk or marginalized, such as sexual and gender minorities — groups that I’m particularly interested in outcomes for — those voices weren’t included in these conversations around death care, especially when we talk about transgender individuals whose bodies and identities are often maligned in society,” Wright-Berryman said. ...

Leaders-First Leadership and the 9 Touchstones with Jes Deshields Teleios Collaborative Network (TCN); podcast by Chris Comeaux; 2/12/25 Jes DeShields, founder of Crescent Leadership, discusses her leadership journey, emphasizing the importance of self-discovery, personal stories, and sustainable growth.  She introduces the concept of 'crescendo' in leadership development, which occurs when the journey builds to a key pivot point or impact point. The discussion also covers the significance of integrity in leadership, the balance between confidence and self-reflection, and the leader-first leadership model, which prioritizes leader growth to foster effective organizational change. Then, it delves into the nine touchstones of effective leadership, which are the title of Jes’ book, 9 Leader Touchstones.

4 phrases successful leaders intentionally use to motivate their teams Forbes; by Dr. Cheryl Robinson; 2/1/25 ... Great leaders understand that their words can shape company culture, influence behavior and impact employee engagement; it’s about delivering messages with clarity and intent. The tone, phrasing and timing of communication can energize a team or deflate morale. A well-placed word of encouragement can spark motivation, while careless criticism can hinder progress. Whether providing constructive feedback or navigating tough conversations, leaders who speak with intention create a culture where employees feel valued and driven to contribute their best. ... 4 Phrases Successful Leaders Use:

Does confronting mortality make our lives more meaningful? | The Ethical Life podcast SC Now, Florence, SC; podcast hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada; 1/29/25 Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss how our awareness of mortality shapes the way we live. Kyte begins by discussing how ancient philosophers, particularly the Stoics, believed we should keep death constantly in mind, [helping] us avoid self-deception about our mortality and the tendency to become overly attached to material possessions and markers of success. Later, the hosts discuss how major religions have grappled with the question of what happens after death. ... Rada and Kyte share their personal reflections on mortality. ... Kyte says he ponders it daily, not in a morbid way, but to remind himself to use his finite time wisely. They discuss how people near the end of life often shift their priorities to relationships, forgiveness and small joys. 

Thinking innovatively about your nursing career development Minority Nurse; by Keith Carlson, BSN, RN, NC-BC; 1/27/25 Your nursing career is yours to create, and with proper care, your path can be unique, innovative, and idiosyncratic. At the same time, your many obligations and responsibilities can steer you away from your uniqueness and leave you in a rut of choosing the path of least resistance. There are many strategies for choosing a career journey that fits your vision of who you want to be as a healthcare professional, and it’s worth exploring those strategies for the ones that can most readily move you forward. ... Thoughtful questions are a good place to begin your self-assessment. ... 

The number 1 mistake people make when trying to live a meaningful life with zero regrets, from a hospice doctor NBC 7 San Diego, CA; by Dr. Jordan Grumet; 1/24/25... As a hospice doctor, I spend a lot of time with people facing the end of their lives. I've seen firsthand why this belief can lead to anxiety in up to 91% of people at some point in their lives. My response is always the same: You don't find purpose — you create it. It's not about stumbling upon a fully formed sense of purpose. Instead, it's about identifying the inklings in your life that light you up. I call them "purpose anchors" — and they're clues you can use to build a meaningful life with few or no regrets.  ...

Keep leadership training specific to company needs, McLean advises HR Dive; by Kathryn Moody; 1/21/25 Studies show that a lack of communication skills and change readiness is keeping leaders from reaching their potential. ... To build a solid and effective leadership training program, employers should start by establishing what gaps currently exist in leadership development and the competencies the company wants to build.Then, an employer can craft the program with proper mapping of activities and measurements of success and define how it will be maintained in the future. ... Notably, one leadership skill that may be lacking is communication, according to research published in November by the Association for Talent Development — and communication skills are considered critical for that employee group, according to talent development professionals surveyed.

 6 behaviors you must unlearn to be a relevant leader in 2025 Forbes; by Glenn Llopis; 1/7/25 Leadership today isn’t what it used to be. Gone are the days when a title or a corner office automatically commanded respect. Today, business leaders need more than authority, they need relevance. But being a relevant leader is not just about adopting new behaviors; it’s about unlearning bad habits. Especially those that do more harm than good. ... Here are six behaviors you must unlearn that once felt relevant and now may be holding you back. I’ve also included the six behaviors you must relearn.

Medical schools report steep drop in enrollment of Black and Hispanic students after Supreme Court ruling STAT; by Usha Lee McFarling; 1/9/25Enrollment of Black and Hispanic students in medical schools dropped precipitously last year after the Supreme Court banned the consideration of race in admissions, according to data released Thursday by the Association of American Medical Colleges. The number of Black enrollees fell by 11.6% compared to last year, while the number of Hispanic enrollees decreased 10.8%. The numbers were even starker for Indigenous students; the number of American Indian or Alaska Natives dropped by 22.1%, while students who were Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islanders dropped by 4.3%. 

What’s the most impactful thing you learned this year? Harvard Business Review (HBR); by Kelsey Hansen; 12/31/24 What’s one thing you learned this year that changed the way you lead? We asked HBR’s global social media community this question to get a sense of the lessons our readers are taking into the new year. We’ve collected some highlights here so that we can all reflect and learn from one another. Our readers shared lessons learned around the importance of (truly) listening; leading with vulnerability and humility; and why we should all prioritize reflection and lifelong education. In the spirit of continuous learning, we’ve also included some resources to dig deeper in HBR articles and podcasts. ...

The power of top 100 relationships in leadership success Forbes; by David Nour; 12/18/24 In today’s fast-paced, hyper-connected world, leadership success often hinges on one defining factor: the depth, health, and relevance of your most valuable relationships. Yet, many leaders mistakenly equate having an extensive network with having a meaningful or impactful one. ... However, authentic leadership thrives not in the breadth of relationships but in their depth, quality, and relevance. As leaders, we must embrace a critical shift: moving away from collecting contacts and toward cultivating authentic, intentional, and strategic relationships. These top-tier relationships—our Top 100—are not merely assets but the foundation of professional and personal success. This fundamental mindset shift must also cascade throughout our organizations ...