March 2005

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Keeping the 'I' out of Team

With a highly motivated team, almost anything is possible. However, a team is only as strong as its members. Each individual, including the leader, must collaborate together in order to achieve shared goals rather than focusing on individual achievements.

Keeping good people is never easy; creating the ultimate team may take years. Commitment is required to create the type of practice that will engage your team members so they never want to leave. The stronger your relationships are with your individual team members, the more empowered they will be to optimize their performance.

Most Dentists think they have an ‘open-door policy’; they take pride in being accessible and approachable. Unfortunately, team members often feel that when they share their concerns, the Dentist is so preoccupied that they feel their words have fallen on deaf ears. While it is important to have every team member act responsibly, when an issue is brought to your attention, the individual concern should be dealt with equitably.

Consider Your Words

Often times simple language choices can impact morale. Rather than calling the people you work with your staff, call them team members. A simple difference in the meaning is that a staff person is a single entity – an individual that goes to work, does precisely the job they were hired to do, and at the appropriate time receives a paycheck for the work he or she has performed. A team member, on the other hand, is part of a cohesive group of people that have a shared vision and collaboratively work together.

This is a simple matter of semantics that can have a huge impact at a subconscious level. Also think about the invisible barriers that are drawn when we discuss the Front and the Back in an office. This terminology creates a definite demarcation.

Building Your Trust Accounts

Issues with team members are one of the biggest challenges Dentists face. Think about your relationships with your team members as bank accounts. It’s important to make deposits into your team members ‘trust account’. If you have made healthy deposits, the team member will be more likely to overlook a violation of their trust, such as speaking harshly with them. Each time you do something they do not appreciate, you are withdrawing from their account. If you are not replenishing their trust, the relationship might eventually become overdrawn.

If the account is left in a deficit for too long a time period, it may require more effort and mental anxiety to keep the account open than your team members feel is worth it. At times, it might even be impossible. That’s when team members walk.

Keep in mind, if you improve the quality of your team’s lives, they will improve the quality of your life.

Points to Ponder

1. Pay close attention to how accessible and approachable you are with your team.
   
   
2. Do you refer to the people that work with you as your team or your staff?
   
   
3. While we are all individuals, keep in mind: There’s no ‘I’ in Team.
   

Remember to create, collaborate and celebrate with your team so that the action will get you traction and more than just a fraction of satisfaction!

TEAM: Together Everyone Achieves Miracles!!

About the Author

CoraMarie Clark, MBA is recognized as a highly effective dental practice strategist. She works with dentists that want to optimize their potential both personally and professionally. Her collaborative approach has helped teams develop dynamic competitive strategies and achieve high impact sustainable results.

If you would like to explore the possibility of having CoraMarie work with your Dental Practice or speak for your Association or Group, contact us today.

CoraMarie Clark
phone 403.686.6136
email coramarie@strategix-ltd.com
web strategix-ltd.com

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