What is RC?

Relational Coordination (RC) is a mutually reinforcing process of communicating and relating for the purpose of task integration. Relational Coordination captures the relational dynamics of coordinating work. RC offers a flexible and measurable network concept of teamwork based on roles within organizations and between organizations.
relationships communications graph

Relational Coordination Theory was developed by Jody Hoffer Gittell in the mid 1990′s in the context of flight departures while completing her dissertation research at the MIT Sloan School of Management. Dr. Gittell documented her discovery of Relational Coordination, its performance effects, and how to improve it in many scientific journals as well as multiple books including The Southwest Airlines Way (2003), High Performance Healthcare (2009), and Transforming Relationships for High Performance (2016). These books inspired practitioner interest in the concept of Relational Coordination, resulting in the development of Six Stages of Change and the Relational Model of Change.

Why does it matter?

Relational Coordination has been studied empirically in over 73 industry contexts and in over 36 countries around the world. Research findings show that the strength of Relational Coordination among participants supports a broad array of positive performance outcomes including quality, efficiency, client engagement, and worker well-being. In the healthcare context, for example, Relational Coordination scores are significantly correlated with increased quality, improved clinical outcomes, shorter length of stay, improved patient satisfaction, patient engagement, worker satisfaction and worker resilience.

Testimonials

“After facilitating groups for many years, having the RC survey results was like getting a crystal ball and magic wand combined. No longer did we need to rely on our subjective observations of the team, but rather could return to the group their own perceptions and data. What’s more, the survey helped reveal hot spots, hidden power structures, and in/out group dynamics that we sensed but didn’t know enough to name. Even if we only return the aggregate results to the group, the other layers of data most definitely accelerate our facilitation. The categories themselves are also incredibly concrete issues from which to build conversations around process and relationships.”Internal Consultant, Health System

“I have always found the RCA team to be prompt, personable and efficient in addressing my questions about the RC Survey. They are open to hearing about, and resolving any challenges that may arise throughout the course of the survey process; furthermore, they are eager to hear about novel or unique issues and to work with me as a client to develop solutions. As a team, they seem to truly care about their clients, and they take pride in their work and the quality of the service they provide.”Organizational Development Expert

“What sets this assessment apart from others is that [the RC Survey 2.0] delves into the interpersonal connections using four different aspects of communication, as well as an understanding of shared goals, shared knowledge, and mutual respect. No other assessment goes to this depth to explain how an organization, department, or team can achieve healthy and thriving workplaces and communities.”Population Health Leader, Health System

“The customer service provided by RCA was exceptional! As this was my first experience with implementing the RCA process, I needed serious assistance to be sure that I was representing the client accurately but also to understand the role and power of the RCA process. The RCA staff guided my steps and helped me address the needs of the client in an efficient and step-by-step manner. I would highly recommend them to any organization or department that wants to increase effective team dynamics and collaboration.”Internal Consultant, Healthcare

“People are starting to feel comfortable talking about these things and I guess the numbers didn't look as bad as we thought. I also give credit to the leadership retreat we did with the unit leaders in December. The unit leaders are starting to feel like a team and that was never true before. It is a huge change for us here.”Surgeon Leader, Academic Medical Center

“In pondering why this survey tool works so well, it seems to me that rather than providing results to the client as end-point evaluative scores that imply a pre-determined performance rating, e.g., your team performance is high/low, good/bad, above/below average, this tool provides results that open up a dialogue for clients to self-assess their performance, discover specific areas for change, and begin to develop solutions unique to their particular needs and circumstances.”Consultant and RC Thought Leader

"We've been doing some comparisons and correlations between RC and the TeamStepps instrument, and by far, we've found that the RC instrument is more informative and helpful to us as the Evaluation Team and to the front-line in terms of informing action."Evaluation Expert, Interprofessional Collaborative Practice

"I am now feeding back the results of our first survey, and it is being really well received even though the scores are weak generally. The tool and the opportunity it affords us is really being taken in"Clinical Program Manager

"Our RC work seems to have improved and sustained employee engagement. It gives us the best of both worlds. We always talk about patients as the center of everything. Sometimes people just get exhausted. RC gets at the patient in a very employee-centered way. In the short time we've been using it, people feel inherently more valued and more important. It shows the providers how much everyone does."VP of Nursing, Health System

"Patient Service Reps are calling me every week now, asking to join the huddles so they can put a face to the name. And having the Chair of Pediatrics come to our meeting - they loved that."Call Center Supervisor, Health System

"Having pulled back to full time clinical work and then retired I can honestly say that Relational Coordination was the most powerful and impactful strategy we utilized at Billings Clinic. It says a lot that ... many of the benefits we had achieved remain embedded in the culture. Thank you for all you have done for us and so many other organizations!"Chief Medical Officer, Billings Clinic

“My experience with RCA has been nothing short of exceptional. Not only is their execution impeccable with administrating the surveys, they have also been generous and patient with guiding us through our initial usage and interpretation of the results. Part of the reason I find such value and enjoyment with the RC Survey is due to my interactions with the RCA team.”Internal Consultant, Education Sector

Why does it matter?

Contact