March of Dimes
Genetics
 
Rules for the Road: A Handbook for Consumers in Leadership Roles

The Genetics Services Branch, Division of Services for Children with Special Health Care Needs, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration has produced a handbook “Rules for the Road,” which captures the values and beliefs of health consumers in leadership positions in human service organizations. The March of Dimes is presenting the manual on its Web site as part of The GENE Project.

More and more, consumers are playing key leadership roles in human service organizations. The relationships between health professionals and the people they serve have changed enormously in the last 25 years. Today, collaboration and partnership are considered essential to the delivery of high quality health care.

“Rules for the Road” sets forth principles to help guide health care consumers as they assume leadership positions. It is a kind of “roadmap” for negotiating the inevitable twists and turns that accompany their new roles.  The handbook is based on the wisdom of experienced consumers from across the country who have wrestled with the daily dilemmas that accompany leadership.

IMPORTANT: No hard copies of this manual are available. You may print the document from this Web site. If you have questions about the content of the manual, please call (800) 394-5694.

 

Rules for the Road: Contents

Introductory Material

The Fundamentals for Practice    

The Fundamentals in Action   
 
    -  Fundamental 1: Above all, be true to yourself.  
  
    -  Fundamental 2: Respect yourself; respect others.    

    -  Fundamental 3: Keep confidences.    

    -  Fundamental 4: Honesty is the only policy.   
 
    -  Fundamental 5: Be transparent in your communication.   
 
    -  Fundamental 6: Name the hat you are wearing.   
 
    -  Fundamental 7: Share the wealth.   
 
    -  Fundamental 8: Remember why you are there.  
  
    -  Fundamental 9: Take responsibility for yourself in the workplace.

    -  Fundamental 10: Be impeccable in your conduct.   
 
    -  Fundamental 11: When in doubt, admit it.    

    -  Fundamental 12: Stay connected.    
 
 More Tips for Good Practice  
  
 In Conclusion    

 Scenarios for Discussion    

 Additional Resources    

 Participants    

 Evaluation Form    

 About HRSA 


 
  © 2008 March of Dimes Foundation. All rights reserved. The March of Dimes is a not-for-profit organization recognized as tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3). Our mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.