Strong relationships are the lifeblood of any successful organization. Our ability to communicate with one another, resolve conflict and effectively collaborate to achieve goals reflects the overall health of a company. Caring about each other and appreciating the value each employee brings to the table not only enables us to communicate and collaborate more effectively but also reinforces the shared sense of purpose that fulfills employees and drives a company forward. If we have learned anything from the pandemic, it is the importance of relationships. And yet the pandemic may have led to siloes in our organizations through remote work.
A culture of gratitude within an organization goes far beyond being “Nebraska Nice.” Research shows that practicing gratitude, even in small ways, has profound effects on mental and physical wellness. As we continue to adjust to the “hybrid forever” model most of us have adopted in the wake of the pandemic, how we treat one another — whether our interactions with our coworkers are in person or virtual — has a profound impact on employee engagement and productivity. In fact, this hybrid model makes it even more important (and sometimes just as difficult) to create and sustain a culture that promotes healthy and constructive dialogue.
As a company whose mission is to champion the health and well-being of our members and the communities we serve, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska is proud to sponsor the second annual Omaha Gratitude Summit. The focus of this year’s summit is the importance of gratitude and forgiveness in breaking down organizational and relational siloes. This event is designed to energize community and business leaders for action.
I am grateful for the employees of Team Blue and our provider and broker partners who work with us every day to serve our members across the state.
Jeff Russell
President and CEO
