8 tips for creating an outstanding team
By Laura A. Boone, MBAOne of the most important elements in creating an outstanding dental practice is leadership. Without it, the practice lacks a strong culture, motivation, and dedication, all of which will ultimately affect the bottom line of the business. Bringing out the greatness in people can be achieved ... if a leader is creative and committed.Leadership comes in different forms, styles, and actions. Everyone can be a leader in the practice. Here are some leadership tips for being the person you need to be to attract and keep the right team:1. Become a teacher. Be a role model. Be the example. Practice what you preach and be committed to the goals you set.2. Delegate. Surround yourself with a team whose abilities you can respect and trust. When the team is aware of the expectations, they may just rise to the occasion and live up to it.
3. Encourage independent thinking. Stop enabling and allow the team to think on their own. Be solution focused; spend 10% on the challenge and 90% on solutions.
4. Build a team. The most effective teams have diverse skills and personalities.
5. Listen. Listen with the intent to understand — not to reply. We were given two ears and one mouth; let’s use them in that proportion!
6. Accept responsibility. Take blame out of the equation and be accountable for the results.
7. Share the spotlight. Give credit where credit is due. Leadership is taking on a project so that at the end, no one knows who the leader was.
8. Be proactive. Be prepared. Either you plan to fail, or fail to plan!Remember, the key to success is to produce a common synergy within your team. Everyone is a leader! Effective and elegant communication is crucial. Make your team meetings count. Landscape meetings in your schedule, decide who will be the facilitator for each meeting, have fun, play team-building games, get “out of the box.” There is an appropriate time to have board meetings to discuss numbers and department heads can meet to share what is and is not working. Having team meetings that are only “system driven” will not bring a team together. What does a healthy culture look like? A healthy culture is one of unity, safety to communicate openly and honestly with each other objectively, and total support of the doctor’s vision and the practice’s core values.Author bioA senior executive coach of Fortune Management, Laura Boone entered business coaching in 1996, following a successful career in management and dental assisting for more than 14 years. Among the skills she mastered are office leadership and responsibility, staff structure, completely revamping staff communications, and new patient marketing. Self-described as a lifelong learner, Laura continues to grow her expertise through ongoing education and training. She earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree in business administration and her Master’s in business. Continued success lies in the expertise Laura has gained through the renowned curriculum training through AsOne Coaching Advanced Sessions, Robbins Research, Katherine Eitel Executive Train the Trainer courses, Landmark Education Full Curriculum and Leadership Series, Guest Speaker for the AAGD, CDA, and on the speaking circuit for CVMA, SCVMA, Intervet Schering-Plough for California/Northwest, and Dale Carnegie Programs. She is also a prior member of the AADMC; her work has been published in dental journals and she has lectured at study clubs all over the country. You may contact her by email at [email protected].
3. Encourage independent thinking. Stop enabling and allow the team to think on their own. Be solution focused; spend 10% on the challenge and 90% on solutions.
4. Build a team. The most effective teams have diverse skills and personalities.
5. Listen. Listen with the intent to understand — not to reply. We were given two ears and one mouth; let’s use them in that proportion!
6. Accept responsibility. Take blame out of the equation and be accountable for the results.
7. Share the spotlight. Give credit where credit is due. Leadership is taking on a project so that at the end, no one knows who the leader was.
8. Be proactive. Be prepared. Either you plan to fail, or fail to plan!Remember, the key to success is to produce a common synergy within your team. Everyone is a leader! Effective and elegant communication is crucial. Make your team meetings count. Landscape meetings in your schedule, decide who will be the facilitator for each meeting, have fun, play team-building games, get “out of the box.” There is an appropriate time to have board meetings to discuss numbers and department heads can meet to share what is and is not working. Having team meetings that are only “system driven” will not bring a team together. What does a healthy culture look like? A healthy culture is one of unity, safety to communicate openly and honestly with each other objectively, and total support of the doctor’s vision and the practice’s core values.Author bioA senior executive coach of Fortune Management, Laura Boone entered business coaching in 1996, following a successful career in management and dental assisting for more than 14 years. Among the skills she mastered are office leadership and responsibility, staff structure, completely revamping staff communications, and new patient marketing. Self-described as a lifelong learner, Laura continues to grow her expertise through ongoing education and training. She earned her Bachelor’s of Science degree in business administration and her Master’s in business. Continued success lies in the expertise Laura has gained through the renowned curriculum training through AsOne Coaching Advanced Sessions, Robbins Research, Katherine Eitel Executive Train the Trainer courses, Landmark Education Full Curriculum and Leadership Series, Guest Speaker for the AAGD, CDA, and on the speaking circuit for CVMA, SCVMA, Intervet Schering-Plough for California/Northwest, and Dale Carnegie Programs. She is also a prior member of the AADMC; her work has been published in dental journals and she has lectured at study clubs all over the country. You may contact her by email at [email protected].