Workplace Zombies: What’s Draining Facilities Teams?

Zombies are not science fiction. They are the projects, meetings, rules, and habits that quietly consume time and resources while delivering little real value.

In this episode, New York Times bestselling author Diana Kander joins Healthcare Facilities Network alongside industry leaders Michael Hatton and Dennis Ford to challenge how we define productivity in healthcare facilities management.

Together, the panel explores the concept of “zombie projects” — initiatives that feel productive but fail to move the organization forward. Diana also introduces the idea of “watermelon projects” — projects that appear green on the outside but are red on the inside — and puts our industry experts to the test.

From compliance requirements to standing meetings to legacy processes that “have always been done this way,” we unpack how zombies quietly drain team capacity, distract from strategic priorities, and create the illusion of progress.

In an environment where healthcare facilities leaders are already balancing accreditation demands, capital planning, and operational risk, identifying and eliminating zombies becomes a leadership imperative.

If you are responsible for facilities operations, compliance, or team performance, this conversation will challenge you to reassess what is truly adding value and what may be holding your organization back.

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Today's Guests:
👥 Connect with Diana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dianakander/
👥 Connect with Michael: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-hatton-2b8bb214b/
👥 Connect with Dennis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-ford-mha-chfm-chc-fashe-56853a51/

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