Health care institutions have a long history of hierarchical and siloed organizational structures. People are often distinguished, and sorted, by their credentials, areas of specialization, and the role they play. From physicians, to nurses, to administrators, to support service roles, each group has a particular place in this hierarchical structure. Implicit incentives to compete can create palpable tensions within health care environments and ultimately patients and their families are most at risk when these tensions escalate. In short, health care is an arena ripe with opportunities for bridge building.

In this session, participants will learn about how one large health system, with more than 15,000 employees, has been using the Enneagram to develop leaders and bridge divides among disparate groups and individuals. Using a combination of didactic and interactive learning techniques, we will offer an overview of the health system and the role the Enneagram plays in supporting our leadership and organizational culture. Participants will engage in short individual exercises and group discussions to experience some of the approaches used to invite self-awareness and develop understanding and appreciation for others… building bridges. We will end the session by sharing results from a multi-year leadership study on the impact of our efforts.