In his book Hardwiring Excellence: Purpose, Worthwhile Work, Making a Difference, Quint Studer shares with his readers the secrets to his successes of being able to turn mediocre hospitals into great hospitals.   One of these keys is something Studer calls “Rounding for Outcomes.”  Upon taking over a hospital he demands all the leaders in the hospital to round for outcomes.  This means they have to go to different employees and ask five questions.  These five questions are:

1.           What is going well today?

2.           Are there any staff (non-medical professionals) that deserve recognition?

3.           Are there any medical professionals (doctors & nurses) that deserve recognition?

4.           Do you have everything you need to do your job?

5.           What else can we do to improve?

I believe that the practice of Rounding for Outcomes can be a game changer for our two parishes if we change the questions to the following questions to better fit parish life.

               1.           What is going well today?

               2.           Are there any parishioners (non-Church employees) that we should recognize?

               3.           Are there any parish employees that should recognize for going above and beyond?

               4.           Do you have everything you need to be a disciple of Christ?

               5.           What else can we do to improve?

Rounding for Outcomes in order to be truly successful has to become a way parishioner, staffs, and guess to connect beyond just giving feedback.  Through the sharing of ways that we can improve and expressions of gratitude that parish leadership (clergy, staff, and lay) become more approachable and develop an eagerness to work side by side with each other.  In addition, Rounding for Outcomes will help us make sure that we have efficient systems, training, and equipment in place so that everyone can grow in their faith and our parishes can flourish.  It is therefore extremely important that Rounding for Outcomes takes place between individuals and not through a mass survey.   I have therefore asked the Parish Council to assist in leading our parishes in the development of the Rounding for Outcomes program in our parishes.  I therefore implore you to take the time, if asked by a member of the Parish Council, to sit down with them and share with them your answers to the five questions listed above.   

Ultimately, I believe Rounding for Outcomes will help our parishes in the following ways…

               1.           Build relationships (sharing our love for our parishes will help connect us)

               2.           Harvest “wins” to learn what is going well.  

               3.           Identify areas in need of improvement.

               4.           Repair and monitor current programs.  

               5.           Ensure that key Christian behaviors are being “hardwired” into our parish life and administration.

Thank you and God bless,

Fr. Thomas M. Pastorius