Everything in business, which includes healthcare, comes down to people. Everything.

Have a product? Who makes it? People. Who buys it? People.

Have a service? Who does the service? People. Who need the service? People.

Despite this fundamental element, I’m constantly surprised when other – ahem, people – forget about the people – those who both do the service/make the goods as well as those who purchase and consume those services and goods. It’s astounding and, quite frankly, disgusting.

People are not widgets. Stop thinking of them that way. People need attention, they need someone to think about them in light of plans and ideas and circumstances, they need to be central to everything we think and do in the moment rather than the afterthought.

Why isn’t this essential concept as easy as breathing? How do you view people? How does your organization view people?