1. Co-Director, Center for Professional Health
The Year of the Scientist: Balancing Health and Science Dealing with unprofessional behavior
William H. Swiggart, MS
Co-Director, Center for Professional Health
March 2017

2. Conflict of Interest
William Swiggart ….has NO financial relationships to disclose. 2

3. Goals
The purpose of the session is to ... Identify disruptive behavior in self and others and to respond appropriately.

4. Objectives Participants attending this session will be able to:
Define flooding and recognize flooding in self and others.
Practice one communication technique to use with colleagues in the workplace.
Practice one grounding technique.

5. Agenda
Introduction / Handouts
Flooding
DRAN
Resources
Summary

6. Ground Rules
Whose in the audience – MDs, Phd, RN, other allied health workers???
Create a safe environment for scientist to engage in discussion on challenges but more so solutions to the challenges.

7. Handouts
Flooding test
DRAN

8. Definition of Disruptive Behavior
Disruptive behavior includes, but is not limited to, words or actions that:
Prevent or interfere w/an individual’s or group’s work, academic performance, or ability to achieve intended outcomes (e.g. intentionally ignoring questions or not returning phone calls or pages related to matters involving patient care, or publicly criticizing other members of the team or the institution)
Create, or have the potential to create, an intimidating, hostile, offensive, or potentially unsafe work or academic environment (e.g. verbal abuse, sexual or other harassment, threatening or intimidating words, or words reasonably interpreted as threatening or intimidating)
Threaten personal or group safety, such as aggressive or violent physical actions
Behavior or behaviors that undermine a culture of safety
Violate Vanderbilt University and/or VUMC policies, including those related to conflicts of interest and compliance.
Vanderbilt University and Medical Center Policy #HR-027, 2010

9. Disruptive Behavior Is Not
An occasional “out of character” reaction of an individual
Lack of perfectionism. No one is perfect
Constructive criticism in good faith with the aim of improving patient care or education
Expressions of concern about a patient’s care and safety
Expressions of dissatisfaction with policies through appropriate grievance channels or other non-personal means
Vanderbilt University and Medical Center Policy #HR-027, 2010

10. "Every system is perfectly designed to get the results it gets.”
Systems
"Every system is perfectly designed to get the results it gets.”
BW Williams to accompany a talk delivered at the FSPHP Spring Meeting 2010

11. Topic 1
Flooding

12. Flooding
“…this means you feel so stressed that you become emotionally and physically overwhelmed…”
“Pounding heart, sweaty hands, and shallow breathing.”
“When you’re in this state of mind…you are not capable of hearing new information or accepting influence.”
*John M. Gottman, Ph.D. The Relationship Cure, Crown Publishers, New York, 2001,

14. Flooding
Take a test
John M. Gottman, All Rights Reserved (revised 11/17/03)

15. Flooding - Scoring
Scoring: If you answered “yes” to more than eight statements, this is a strong sign that you are prone to feeling flooded during conflict. Because this state can be harmful to you, it’s important to let others know how you are feeling. The antidote to flooding is to practice soothing yourself.
John M. Gottman, All Rights Reserved (revised 11/17/03)

16. Flooding Things to do when you flood: Breathe
Practice any mindfulness technique
Step away from the situation: if possible go into the restroom

17. SKILLS TO USE WHEN FLOODING
GROUNDING
Categories exercise
Judge versus describe
Mindfulness with all senses
Breathe

18. Topic 2 DRAN
Practice one communication technique

19. Assertive Communication
When asking for something, use the acronym – DRAN
Describe
Reinforce
Assert
Negotiate
John Gottman, Ph.D. The Relationship Cure. Crown Publishers, New York, 2001, 74-78

20. Describe Describe the other person’s behavior objectively
Use concrete terms
Describe a specified time, place & frequency of action
Describe the action, not the “motive”
John Gottman, Ph.D. The Relationship Cure. Crown Publishers, New York, 2001, 74-78

21. Reinforce Recognize the other person’s past efforts
It takes eight positive comments to compensate for one negative comment.
John Gottman, Ph.D. The Relationship Cure. Crown Publishers, New York, 2001, 74-78

22. Assert Directly and Specifically
Express your feelings
Express them calmly
State feelings in a positive manner
Direct yourself to the offending behavior, not the entire person’s character
Ask explicitly for change in the other person’s behavior
John Gottman, Ph.D. The Relationship Cure. Crown Publishers, New York, 2001, 74-78

23. Negotiate Work toward a compromise that is reasonable
Request a small change at first
Take into account whether the person can meet your needs or goals
Specify behaviors you are willing to change
Make consequences explicit
Reward positive changes
John Gottman, Ph.D. The Relationship Cure. Crown Publishers, New York, 2001, 74-78

24. SPECIFIC PHRASES You may be right.
Give me a minute, I’ll get right back to you.
I know this may be frustrating, I want to address your concerns.
Tell me how I can help you.
Glad you are here.
John Gottman, Ph.D. The Relationship Cure. Crown Publishers, New York, 2001, 74-78

25. The 8:1 Ratio Communication
John Gottman, Ph.D. The Relationship Cure. Crown Publishers, New York, 2001, 74-78

26. Topic 3
VERITAS Event Reporting System

27. To access VERITAS, Click on Resources For Employees

28. Summary As a result of participating you should be able to:
Identify the characteristics of flooding.
Use grounding techniques to calm your mood.
Use DRAN to improve your communication.
Access the Veritas system.

29. Next Session