What's the culture in your office?
As desperate as you are for help, it’s essential to consider the inner workings of your office before making the next hire. Is everyone happy at work? Sure, people have bad mornings or bad days. However, as a whole, you want a team and a leader who’s coming through the door happy and ready to rock and roll. Work hard, play hard. Once you have a great foundation, you’ll know what to look for when searching for a prime candidate. Whoever you consider must exude the same attitude and work ethic as your existing team members.
As an owner and the leader of your business, how do you create a happy workplace and a space where no one experiences Sunday night blues? If your team is unhappy, your patients will notice. Work hard to establish a good workplace culture. Knowing your team will help you understand your team’s strengths and weaknesses and where you can help them excel and support them where needed.
How do you establish a good workplace culture? workplace culture?
Build Relationships:
Show interest in their hobbies and family. Ask how the baseball tournament was. If they're into volunteering, arrange a day for your office to volunteer at their favorite charity. This will not only promote a fun team day; this will be positive to show your office supporting community events.
Celebrate Wins:
Did your team convert a work-in to same-day treatment or schedule a full mouth treatment? Did they reactive a few hygiene patients to add to the schedule or meet their daily goal? Acknowledge those wins in your team's daily huddle. Celebrate the successes or at least acknowledge them. High fives, lunch, or Sonic Happy Hours.
Have an Open-Door Policy:
Let your team know they can come to you anytime. Be transparent and keep your conversations with individuals confidential.
Be Positive:
We're big believers in what you put out; you get back. If you want your team to be positive and communicate well, be sure you're setting the example. We've said this before, be what you wish to see.
Check-In Regularly:
Have routine 1:1 and annual reviews. A review should not be seen as a "raise meeting” or looked upon “negatively.” No big sighs, with shoulders down that you must conduct a review.
Great culture starts with the dentist. Be present. Get out of your office and build relationships with your team. Excellent work environments help retain employees. Nothing speaks more highly of a dentist than one with long-term team members.