Eat THAT Cookie!: Make Workplace Positivity Pay Off...For Individuals, Teams, and Organizations
Is there anyone in healthcare who tells it straighter than Liz Jazwiec? In Eat That Cookie!, she pulls no punches, tells it like it is, and doesn't accept any excuses. In it, she tells her story of transformation from a slave to the negative to a believer in the positive with such honesty that you can't help but relate to it. She is proof to us all that with the right amount of determination and tenacity we can all change for the better, adapt to new expectations, and achieve breakthrough results. Liz stands out as one of those unique individuals who can tell a story so that you'll never forget it and its all-important lessons. And with a sense of humor that is second to none, she does that on every page of Eat That Cookie! With this book, Liz helps those of us in healthcare remember the core values that drew us to serve others and urges us to celebrate that choice every day. I'm so excited that Liz has finally put her stories and philosophy to paper. This book should be on the reading list of everyone in healthcare. It shows just how proud we should all be of what we do! Read it and keep it close by-you never know when you will need Liz's great humor and even better guidance to help you through a tough day. --Becky Anthony, Iowa Hospital AssociationHealthcare, as a vocation, holds the promise of almost unparalleled job sat­isfaction. Unfortunately, the daily life of the healthcare worker also brings a unique combination of physical, emotional, and interpersonal challenges-long hours, sometimes difficult patients, uncooperative coworkers, stressful decisions-often leading to a negative and cynical work environment. We see the results in the form of poor patient service and high staff turnover. For the past decade, Liz Jazwiec has committed her life to improving work­place culture, and her impact has been significant. In her new book, Eat That Cookie!, Liz takes aim at the negative mindset directly, offering a wealth of insight on the topic: how to recognize it, how to address it, and what to do when the inevitable "pushback" occurs. Applying her characteristic blend of humor and directness, Liz makes a strong case for personal accountability and provides practical strategies for aligning staff in a positive way. A "must-read" for healthcare managers at all levels, this book is long over­due. --William J. Hejna, Senior Principal-Health Innovation, Noblis, Inc., Chicago, ILLiz Jazwiec knows nurses. She knows their work, she knows their frustrations, and she knows how deeply they care about their patients. In Eat That Cookie!, by telling her stories, with a humor that every nurse can relate to (because, let's face it, we've all been there!), she helps nurses see that their work extends far beyond their clinical expertise. Liz reminds us that nurses can reduce pa­tient anxiety, establish patient confidence, and provide care that makes them feel truly cared for and totally satisfied with the patient experience. In Eat That Cookie!, Liz also brilliantly uses her gift of humor to tell her own story about how she moved from a place of negativity to a place of ownership and positivity. (She's a natural storyteller who could have had an amazing career as a stand-up comedienne if she hadn't become a nurse!) She reminds us all what an important role we play in assuring an optimum experience for our patients. If you want to improve the quality of care your patients receive, read this book. Its lessons are invaluable for anyone in healthcare! --Ruth Walton, RN, MS, Regional Chief Nurse Executive, Vanguard Health Systems