We spend so much time in the workplace that it is crucial for our working atmosphere to be one where all members of staff feel comfortable and are motivated to achieve. As a business owner or practice manager running a successful operation is all about the staff and employees that work alongside you. But how exactly do you ensure a positive environment? And what are the secrets to a happy practice?
Any dental practice or aesthetics clinic is a busy and demanding working environment. It can become easy to be blinkered by the immediate demands of the day, forgetting that we must care for our colleagues as we would our patients.
Maintaining employee motivation is therefore undoubtedly one of the foremost challenges facing any practice principal, and unless this comes naturally to you, it can be overwhelming to think about how to inspire others to success. A good
place to start is to consider precisely what it is that motivates you. Perhaps your colleagues will echo your own personal goals and aspirations?
But it doesn’t have to be all down to guesswork. The simple solution to exploring what may or may not motivate your team is to ask them. Consult your staff on what inspires them through a questionnaire or one-to-ones. This in itself will have the effect of at least letting your staff members know their opinions and thoughts are valued. The crucial thing is never to assume, for example, many employers wrongly assume that financial incentives are the number one motivator. Once you have discovered what it is that inspires or encourages them taking the time to implement any changes or showing interest in their personal goals and ambitions will reveal you to be a caring and compassionate boss; people will want to work with you and to share in your successes.
Professional satisfaction comes in many forms and guises, be it the gratification of a job well done, or the knowledge that what you do is helping somebody. A financial incentive can be a motivator, as can being part of a successful or winning team; whatever it is that your colleagues get enthused about should be reflected in your approach to their motivation.
It is a good idea to set goals and incentives for your team to share in, offering recognition for achievements and good work well done. Be generous with praise, highlighting strengths and achievements. Making staff members feel valued will create natural positive energy and will help to forge a stronger sense of togetherness within the practice. As a stronger team develops you will soon see the benefits of enhanced efficiency and camaraderie; as colleagues work together to achieve their goals they will naturally achieve yours as well.
Providing opportunities to develop within a business is another reliable way of enriching the working environment. Indeed involving staff in the decision making process and business development will make them feel empowered. You may find that, given a little added responsibility, a previously unsettled or unmotivated member of staff soon begins to take a more active role in the practice, showing more interest and dedication. What’s more, delivering chances for staff members to expand their own skills and learning new procedures and techniques will encourage a deeper sense of loyalty towards the practice. Give everyone a leadership role that highlights their strengths; by showing that you are willing to look after and guide them in their professional development you will help to build a sense of commitment to your practice.
Ensuring effective communication that is both open and honest will also help to raise practice morale and encourage employee engagement. Let your colleagues know how the business is progressing by sharing company opportunities and targets. Ensure that all staff members understand the aims and objectives of the business so that your employees’ goals and your own business goals are aligned. A daily morning meeting in which you discuss the day’s objectives can really help to encourage a feeling of inclusivity, providing motivation to meet the challenges of the day.
The dangers of not spending time and focus on motivating and supporting your team will manifest in many different ways. At times there will be negative energy within your team and it is important that this is dealt with quickly and appropriately. Poor morale can lead to poor service and lower patient satisfaction, this in turn will impact on your patient retention and the overall success of your business. It is therefore crucial to try to maintain an atmosphere of enthusiasm and positivity in your practice or clinic and to encourage all members of staff to explore what it is that motivates them to do a good job and to grow together. Remember, a happy workplace is the key to happy patients.