The core of any health care organization is purpose: why does the organization exist? How does its purpose benefit society? Whom does it serve? In today's turbulent health care environment, constancy of purposethat is, knowing its purpose and acting in alignment with itis critical to the survival and success of the health care organization. The Common Bond presents a detailed framework and practical tools for building a health care organization in which all parts act in accordance with the mission that the organization has defined and communicated--as a focused, targeted, on-purpose'' organization (OPO). Francis L. Ulschak shows how, by aligning the organization, its work units, and its individuals, the OPO maximizes the potential of the whole and all of its parts. Ulschak identifies the support systems needed for the OPO to thriveincluding leadership, conflict management, problem-solving and changeand shows why these areas are critical for growth and development. The book contains many practical hands-on resources including exercises, questionnaires, and worksheets designed to help implement the transition to an OPO. Drawing on his more than eighteen years of experience in organizations, Ulschak reveals: * how on-purpose'' leadership can communicate a purpose and vision, enlist the support of others in it, and help them act on it * how to foster successful conflict resolution by creating a climate of truth-telling, choice, regard, and renewal * how to identify individual patterns of response to change and so understand, plan, and manage organizational change * how a collaborative four-step approach to problem-solving can help the organization systemically move from identifying the problem to corrective action