Sustaining High-Performing Teams: Lessons from the Front Lines — Dia Nichols
Over the past several weeks, I’ve had the privilege of rounding at our sites of care throughout Chicagoland. I met with teammates in emergency departments, intensive care units, cancer centers and everywhere in between. I connected with public safety teams, EVS workers and those who support operations behind the scenes. These visits are among the most important parts of my role. They remind me that leadership isn’t just about strategy. It is about presence. About showing up, listening deeply, and understanding what it takes to sustain high-performing teams, not just in moments of calm, but in times of real challenge.
What I heard and observed on the ground affirmed what I’ve always believed: our people are the heart of this organization. And when we nurture that heart with purpose, connection and humility, the entire system thrives.
Longevity Rooted in Purpose
One of the most striking observations about our Advocate teammates is how deeply they care about their work and each other. Nationally, the median employee tenure in the hospital sector is just over 4.5 years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But during my visits, I had the privilege of connecting with people who have worked with us for decades. At Advocate Sherman Hospital, I met a group of six family birthing center nurses — Megan, Amy, Melissa, Fran, Danielle and Liza — who have been with our organization for a combined 115 years. And they all still love what they do! Their long-term tenure speaks volumes about the environment we aim to create across our organization.
Regardless of how long our teammates have worked at Advocate — and some have been with us for more than 40 years — a common theme emerged when I asked what has kept them here all this time: They still feel connected to our purpose. Again and again, I heard variations of the same message. When people feel that their work matters and when they see the impact they have on patients and communities, they stay. In health care, where change is constant and the pace is fast, purpose is our anchor. It grounds us. And for long-serving teammates, it is also what fuels mentorship and continuity, helping us carry forward a culture of excellence.
Resilience Through Relationships
Another theme I noticed was the way our clinical teams continue to draw strength from one another, particularly in the aftermath of the pandemic. In the EDs and ICUs, in oncology units and labor and delivery floors, the work is emotionally intense. But so often, I heard about “my work family” — the colleagues who help shoulder the burden on hard days and celebrate the wins, no matter how small.
During our site tours, we had the opportunity to recognize individuals who consistently go the extra mile. These are the teammates who drive innovation, launch new initiatives and find creative solutions to the challenges their teams face. And more often than not, they were described not just as high performers, but as true collaborators who lift others up and share knowledge freely. When teams are connected, they communicate more effectively, adapt more quickly and sustain each other through adversity.
This resilience isn’t built overnight. It grows in environments where trust, compassion, and shared experience are cultivated day after day. And it is a powerful reminder that while skills and systems matter, relationships are the invisible thread that holds high-performing teams together.
Rounding and Listening: Small Acts, Big Impact
I’ve always believed that rounding is more than a leadership habit. It is a leadership responsibility. When we show up with humility and curiosity, when we listen fully and act thoughtfully, we build credibility and connection.
Just a few years ago as a hospital president, I used to round with a snack cart. I’d bring along treats to help brighten someone’s day or offer a quick bite to someone who hadn’t had a proper break. It may sound small, but I’ve learned that small things often carry the biggest weight. A moment of being seen, a gesture of care, a leader who is not just checking a box but truly showing up.
That spirit continues to guide me today. Whether I’m talking with a new nurse, a facilities teammate or a physician with decades of experience, I walk away with the same truth. People perform at their best when they feel heard, valued and supported.
The Path Forward
Sustaining high-performing teams doesn’t require perfection. It requires intention. It means doubling down on purpose, investing in relationships, and leading with presence. It means taking the time to ask, “How are you really doing?” and then staying long enough to hear the answer.
To everyone I’ve met or reconnected with during these recent site visits: thank you. Thank you for your honesty, your resilience and your relentless commitment to care. You continue to teach me what leadership looks like in practice, and I’m proud to be on this journey with you.
