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Case Study

Leading in a hurricane: The Midvale Healthcare System

By Michael D. Watkins

4 pages

February 2024

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Reference: IMD-7-2566

The Midvale Healthcare System case explores the impact of complexity, uncertainty, volatility and ambiguity (CUVA) on leadership decision making and prioritization. Midvale, a traditionally stable healthcare provider, is experiencing an escalating cascade of internal and external challenges. These include shifting patient demographics, reimbursement uncertainties, workforce shortages and evolving competitive pressures. Amid this whirlwind, CEO Sarah Martinez must grapple with the uncertain future of healthcare policy and rapid technological advancements while striving to maintain Midvale’s core focus on quality patient care. The case highlights the complexity of interconnected problems facing many business leaders today and the importance of recognizing, prioritizing and mobilizing to deal with emerging challenges and opportunities. It is a vehicle for exploring the key elements of strategic thinking, including pattern recognition, systems analysis, mental agility, structured problem solving, visioning and political savvy as presented in the book The Six Disciplines of Strategic Thinking.

Learning Objective

Identify and analyze CUVA factors: Explore how leaders can better deal with complexity uncertainty, volatility and ambiguity.
Apply strategic thinking disciplines: Recognize how disciplines such as pattern recognition, systems analysis and structured problem solving can help leaders recognize and prioritize emerging challenges and opportunities.
Prioritize under pressure: Understand how to assess key problem areas and propose priority sequences for action using data, even when it is incomplete or contradictory.
Evaluate decision trade-offs: Explore the implications of critical decisions facing leaders and their teams and the unavoidable sacrifices entailed regardless of the path chosen.
Engage with stakeholders: Develop strategies for transparently communicating and building support for strategic choices to internal and external stakeholders.

Keywords

Strategy, General Management, Strategic Thinking, Leadership, Complexity, Decision Making, Problem Solving

Settings

Northern America, United States of America
Healthcare

Type

Generalized Experience

Available Languages

English

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Teaching note

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