The coronavirus pandemic put a huge damper on teams and practices across the country. Your dental team may no longer be what it once was, and so the team dynamic and energy seem to be missing. Maybe your team is struggling to maintain the new pace at your practice, or they are dealing with personal problems as they attempt to juggle their new work-life balance. These could be signs that your team needs a pick-me-up. Our dental practice consultants share how to rejuvenate your dental team and regain one shared vision for your practice that will drive future productivity and growth.
Revisit Your Mission Statement
With so many changes, now is an excellent time to review your mission statement to ensure it still focuses on your practice’s expectations. If you do not have a mission statement, it is essential to create one. Our dental office coaches advise getting your team involved by asking them what their goals are for their position and patient care. There are multiple answers you might receive, such as integrity, honesty, or quality care. No matter what responses you receive from new team members or seasoned ones, the information will give you much-needed insight into your practice. It will determine, also, if the practice mission statement needs changes or a complete overhaul.
Lift Team Spirits
Stress is common during uncertain times. Daily activities that may have been easy could cause more worry, strife, or time now because of restrictions. The dramatic changes may increase stress or depression in employees as well. Therefore, our dental consultants recommend the following activities to rejuvenate your team and change your office atmosphere. Your staff may find their work more comforting, and your patients will be more at ease during their appointment.
- Create a fun video together to share on social media.
- Write uplifting compliments on post-it notes and leave them at their station.
- Leave a handwritten note to show your appreciation for each team member.
- Offer to catch up on the dental needs of your team. It could provide a great way to begin cross-training.
- Treat your dental team to breakfast by bringing fresh coffee and donuts one morning or have lunch delivered.
Business as Usual
Although it can be challenging to act as if nothing is going on in the world, you should conduct business as usual. The sense of normalcy is crucial to your staff’s emotional and mental stability. Your patients also expect to see their dental office function close to the same way as before the pandemic. The dental coaches at Bryant Consultants explain that you must do your best to keep a business-as-usual mentality during uncertain times.
Host Lunch and Learns
With consistent changes and an overload of information, it may be tricky to keep up with it yourself. Reach out to your local AADOM chapter for new guidelines or products that help make your dental practice a safer place to work and visit. Our dental practice consultants advise contacting a few trusted reps who can provide quality information that allows your staff to perform better. No matter if you learn about a new aerosol reduction system or more effective personal protective equipment, learning more together as a team can increase team relationships and boost morale.
Celebrate Small Victories
Whether personal or professional, small victories can seem like a big deal when times get rough. Celebrating small successes can make it seem like things are getting back to normal. So, have your staff members write down and share their small victories. One staff member may be excited they are back to work for a standard 40-hour week. Another one may be glad they had the time to teach their child how to ride a bike. Celebrating these small victories helps curb the negativity and realism of existing circumstances, especially when we share our successes among others.
If you would like to learn more or schedule a complimentary one-hour consultation, please contact Bryant Consultants by calling (877) 768-4799. We provide consultation, training, and coaching and will continue to post relevant updates regarding the coronavirus pandemic. To ensure that you receive the latest updates, please follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
