The Opportunity
During a major organizational shift, Philips faced a critical priority: strengthen a patient safety culture while roles, systems and expectations were all changing.
New operating models created uncertainty around roles, responsibilities and collaboration across regions and functions. In a healthcare environment where compliance and patient safety are critical, even small breakdowns in coordination can carry serious consequences.
Leaders needed a way to address real organizational challenges while building stronger collaboration and shared accountability.
The Journey
At the Patient Safety & Quality Summit, Philips partnered with Emerging World to introduce an Action Learning approach to problem solving. Action Learning brings small groups together to work on real organizational challenges through disciplined questioning rather than immediate solutions.
Eighty leaders worked in ten groups on pressing issues affecting safety, quality and collaboration. Participants explored problems together, questioned assumptions and uncovered insights that have might otherwise remained hidden.
Internal and external coaches supported the process, helping participants stay focused on inquiry and shared learning rather than quick fixes.
The result was deeper dialogue across functions and regions, enabling leaders to understand challenges from multiple perspectives before deciding on action.
The Transformation
Leaders reported stronger collaboration and clearer accountability for safety outcomes and the approach proved powerful enough to expand beyond the Summit. Action Learning was later embedded into multiple internal programmes including Culture Shift, Movement Makers and GROW. Movement Makers alone engaged 260 colleagues globally inspiring new ways of working.
What began as a Summit session became an embedded way of working, strengthening how leaders collaborate to protect patient safety every day.
“Only asking open questions proved to be much more challenging than anticipated. It made me reflect on how we are so used to sending instead of receiving. It really helps for better — and more inclusive — decision making.”
– Philips participant
