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Being an introvert, I processed this series of statements for quite some time.

What is Truth?
Aren't there different truths?
Aren't there even different truths specific to a single issue or question?
And if so, isn't this problematic to finding THE truth?

Merriam-Webster defines truth as "the state of being the case; the body of real things, events, facts; the property (as of a statement) of being in accord with fact or reality."

And of course this begs the questions: What is real? What is reality?

Customer Relationship Management experts discuss the importance of taking a 360-degree view from an enterprise perspective, and thus providing everyone within an organization the same framework in which to define the reality of the customer experience. The customer's truth.

Implementing the process known as Concept Engineering from the Center for Quality Management in Cambridge, Mass., I have used the 360-degree view and found the process and results to be incredibly helpful in defining "truth"--be it of patients of a healthcare clinic, members of a healthcare plan, or in relation to physician recruitment.

The truths discovered were then leveraged to best meet the needs of the subject (patient, member, or physician, as the case may be).

As I continued to process the "truth," I came upon the article "Health Insurance costs to rise 5.4 percent in 2012" from CNNMoney. As the title states, health insurance costs to employers are projected to rise 5.4 percent next year. This is a truth (based on the author's analysis) and one that some are highlighting as quite positive (being that the increase is not in the double digits).

And yet another truth that is less explicit in the article (and was pointed out on LinkedIn by a passionate and astute expert in this field) is that before benefit cost shifts the increase would have been 7.1 percent, and the impact of the benefit cost shift to the employee will be increased payroll contributions of up to 12 percent and much higher out of pocket costs. More truths.

And depending on which truth is shared, decisions impacting the health and welfare of our friends, families, and communities will be impacted.

In this case (assuming the analysis is correct by both the author and the observer) both truths are accurate. Therefore, we have what is known as a "Yes, and ..." proposition.

"Yes, health insurance costs to employers are projected to rise 5.4 percent, and employees will have increased payroll contributions of up to 12 percent and much higher out of pocket costs with higher deductibles."

The "Yes, and ..." proposition is a powerful way to find common ground and provide the whole picture for better decision making.

As I pondered ways to address challenges, such as multiple and disparate truths, I arrived at the notion that "Yes, finding the truth is critical, multiple truths can co-exist, truth can change over time, multiple viewpoints are essential to defining truth, finding common ground via the 'Yes, and ...' concept can be very helpful, and ...

... adaptive and collaborative leaders willing to find the truths will be the ones who will lead us to create real and ongoing systemic healthcare change."

Abraham Lincoln once said, "I am nothing, truth is everything."

He was right. Let's find the TRUTH and make a real difference.