"We now recognize the value of investing more in one another for a healthier workplace."
Accidents happen when least expected, and the Emergency Department (ED) understands this better than anyone. In a high-intensity setting like the ED, effective teamwork is essential, yet reflection time is often scarce. Through dedicated team sessions, the ED leaders at St. Antonius Hospital have successfully enhanced their collaborative skills, reaching new levels of cohesion.
The past two years, marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, have intensified hospital pressures. Teamwork has always been central in the ED, where every patient needs immediate attention. During the pandemic, however, seamless cooperation became even more critical—not only among nurses but also among team leaders.
Kris Valster, originally an ED nurse and now a team leader, experiences these demands firsthand. “It’s a challenging role,” she reflects. “There’s always something happening; you’re constantly adapting, staying vigilant. With a 24/7 department, you feel responsible for everyone and everything, day and night. But over four years, I’ve learned to find balance and leave work behind at the end of the day.”
Caring for Both Patients and Staff
Valster and her fellow team leaders are a close-knit group. “We support each other, stay positive, and share a lot of humor. We all believe that taking care of our staff enables them to provide the best care for patients,” she explains. Recognizing the value of strengthening their team bond, the ED department head at St. Antonius recommended team sessions to further their understanding of one another.
Carmen Geurts, HR Advisor for Working Conditions, and Judith Winkel, HR Advisor for Sustainable Employability, have been facilitating TMA Team sessions across the hospital, including two with the ED team so far. “Our goal is to empower employees to reach their full potential,” Geurts notes. “When they feel valued, the entire organization benefits. In these sessions, we identify areas of potential tension within teams and explore strategies to strengthen connections.”
Making Time to Truly Listen
Geurts and Winkel, both certified TMA Professionals, use the TMA Method as a structured approach to support employee growth and development.
Beyond its traditional use in recruitment, TMA has become a vital tool for fostering team resilience—a key factor not only in healthcare but in any organization striving for excellence.
“The importance of strong collaboration within a team is becoming more widely recognized,” notes Carmen Geurts. “But it can also be challenging, as each team is made up of unique individuals. In a team session, creating a safe environment where people feel comfortable being open allows everyone’s talents to come forward. This approach strengthens cooperation and significantly enhances job satisfaction.”
Winkel adds, “Team sessions are an opportunity to truly listen and learn from each other. In the fast pace of daily work, especially in the ED, time for this kind of connection can be scarce—even when it’s greatly needed.”
Enhanced Task Delegation
Kris Valster, who first completed the TMA Talent Analysis in 2012, revisited it for the team sessions. “I gained new insights from my report, not only for myself but in understanding how my colleagues and I interact. It brought a clearer view of team dynamics,” she shares.
“In our ED sessions, we mapped out team members' competencies, identified where our differences lie, and discussed what’s needed for us to perform effectively,” explains Winkel. “This process includes assigning tasks based on talent rather than simply who has time. When you recognize that a particular task aligns with a colleague’s strength, it improves both collaboration and productivity.”
Key Takeaways
For Valster, one of the most valuable insights from the sessions was the importance of intentional reflection. “When you openly communicate what you need, it allows others to support you, while also helping you understand the needs and behaviors of others,” she explains. “It was enlightening to see how a colleague was surprised by their own competence—something I had already noticed in them.”
She notes that an unexpected benefit was realizing how “healthy it is to invest more in our relationships.” Even in a team that works well together, prioritizing these connections can bring the group to a new level of effectiveness. “Despite our strong bond, it’s refreshing to acknowledge that nurturing our relationship can only strengthen the team further.”
“The importance of strong collaboration within a team is becoming more widely recognized,” notes Carmen Geurts. “But it can also be challenging, as each team is made up of unique individuals. In a team session, creating a safe environment where people feel comfortable being open allows everyone’s talents to come forward. This approach strengthens cooperation and significantly enhances job satisfaction.”
Winkel adds, “Team sessions are an opportunity to truly listen and learn from each other. In the fast pace of daily work, especially in the ED, time for this kind of connection can be scarce—even when it’s greatly needed.”
Enhanced Task Delegation
Kris Valster, who first completed the TMA Talent Analysis in 2012, revisited it for the team sessions. “I gained new insights from my report, not only for myself but in understanding how my colleagues and I interact. It brought a clearer view of team dynamics,” she shares.
“In our ED sessions, we mapped out team members' competencies, identified where our differences lie, and discussed what’s needed for us to perform effectively,” explains Winkel. “This process includes assigning tasks based on talent rather than simply who has time. When you recognize that a particular task aligns with a colleague’s strength, it improves both collaboration and productivity.”
Key Takeaways
For Valster, one of the most valuable insights from the sessions was the importance of intentional reflection. “When you openly communicate what you need, it allows others to support you, while also helping you understand the needs and behaviors of others,” she explains. “It was enlightening to see how a colleague was surprised by their own competence—something I had already noticed in them.”
She notes that an unexpected benefit was realizing how “healthy it is to invest more in our relationships.” Even in a team that works well together, prioritizing these connections can bring the group to a new level of effectiveness. “Despite our strong bond, it’s refreshing to acknowledge that nurturing our relationship can only strengthen the team further.”
