Matthew "KNIFE" Cooper - Chief Medical Officer who is Leading Transformative Philosophy, Strategy, & Operational Change for 3M Healthcare. Learn the importance of how to INSULATE OTHERS and be honest about each person’s skill sets

Matthew Cooper is a cardiac surgeon and the Chief Medical Officer & Director of Global Safety at 3M Health Care. As well as being a distinguished physician, Matthew is also an accomplished aerobatic pilot who is interested in applying aviation safety practices to health care and creating high-performance medical teams.

In this episode, you’ll hear from Matthew Cooper on:

• (00:07:06) High reliability and high performance. As an experienced surgeon, Matthew points out that positive outcomes in the operating room depend on effective teamwork and the ability of the surgeon and the team to identify and mitigate risks. 

• (00:09:18) The importance of speaking up. He stresses the need to develop a safe environment in the operating room when junior team members feel confident enough to challenge authority and speak up against something that doesn’t seem right.

• (00:16:43) Performing under pressure. We talk about having confidence in our training and discuss the benefits of leading with humility, honesty, and vulnerability.

• (00:40:16) Accountability. Matthew explains that the healthcare system tends to blame individuals rather than processes for the things that go wrong. Plus, he describes how honest communication and targeted training can help to improve accountability.

• (00:42:17) Altruism. We discuss motivation, and Matthew describes the power of having a purpose higher than self and the satisfaction of knowing you are making a positive impact in the world.