Just reflecting and following on from my article last month… it reminded me how important it is to create a top Team Culture within our practices. After all, the job is hard enough, and without your team working well together, you are without a doubt going to be taking even more stresses home!
I covered some top tips on how you can achieve that but really it needs to come from the whole team for that culture to be embraced. During a day’s training in January, with the fantastic Michelle Hardy from Practice Plan and Tracy Stuart from NBS, we took time to look at what standards we wanted to adopt, together as a team.
We looked at team behaviour and not just the usual personality types, but what drives those personalities and how that impacts on the rest of the team you work alongside nearly every day.
Understanding each other and exploring ways of how to work harmoniously (mostly… we are only human, after all… and often coffee deprived) with each other is the under pinning platform of Nirvana that we all can hope for.
So, whilst it is still a work in progress, I have decided that not only will we work as best we can to the standards, but I will also use them during the appraisal process, and they will be part of the contracts of employment, to ensure that we all respect them and each other. It feels a very positive way to start the year!
- Remember, each standard works both ways, to whoever you are speaking with
- Self Reflection, reflect on given situations, how did you handle it, could you have handled it differently, was your reaction the best method?
- Personalities (D I S C) remember we all respond in different ways, this doesn’t necessarily mean they are wrong and you are right
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help
- Be APPROACHABLE, think about how you react
- Don’t expect praise to be one sided – be sure to give it out also!
- Respect and trust are earned both ways
- Acknowledge everybody equally
- We are only human, we all make mistakes.. help others to improve
- Organisation – take responsibility for yourself and others
- Be aware – is everyone okay? Could you help them?
- Remember management are there for you, speak up if you need
- Appreciation – appreciate everyone and everything around you, this works both ways!
Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t gone completely soft, and I expect some resistance, that may have to be dealt with, but I truly believe that this kind of approach to solidarity and culture with the right team, can be the making of a successful dental practice. This culture will be seen and felt by your patients, who will experience a lovely patient journey.
Afterall, Bees are attracted to honey not vinegar! Said some very wise person.
