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Volume 6, Issue 1

Do You Need An
Attitude Adjustment?

My 93 year old dad has an attitude unlike many I’ve seen! Last week he fell and within 15 minutes was rushed by ambulance to the hospital. When I arrived at the hospital and asked him how he was doing, he told me he’d felt pretty sorry for himself for a while. His leg hurt, his body ached, and he was very upset and embarrassed he’d fallen. He was consumed with the question: Why did it have to happen to me?

After a couple of hours, he realized his frame of mind was not going to help him get better, and decided it was time for an attitude adjustment. He began to notice how nice the nurses at the hospital were being to him. He remembered that when he fell at the Lodge where he lives, the care givers had been terribly concerned about him. They told him the hospital had to get him well as quickly as possible because they would all miss him terribly while he was gone. As dad shared his story with me, he told me that a few of his care givers, with tears in their eyes, had even told him they loved him.

By taking the time to recognize and appreciate all the good around him, dad’s attitude took a major shift. Was he still in pain? Yes. But his experience changed with a ‘simple’ decision.

You Are at Choice

At times events happen in your practice that are less than desirable. Your new patient doesn’t show up for their appointment. Your team member forgets to ask for payment from a patient with an overdue account. Your new hire let’s you know she’s quitting at the end of her first day of work. Your schedule isn’t as full as you would like it to be.

All of these situations are annoying. Your response however, is your choice. And your response will determine the quality of your day, and ultimately, your life.

Don’t wait for your team to change their attitudes… rather, lead by example. Your attitude impacts those around you… your team, your patients, and your family.

Consider my dad’s situation. With a change of attitude, he changed his experience. Your patients perceive your attitude, whether it’s positive or negative; this reflects the experience they will have in your practice.

Every day, many team members choose to be the first to arrive at the practice, flip on the lights, and make a batch of coffee. Most of these people do so because they love what they do. Their career enjoyment is evident in their happiness, confidence, and enthusiasm in everything they do… and positively impacts everybody they interact with.

Does your attitude need an adjustment?

Points to Ponder

• How would you describe your attitude on a daily basis?
  
  
• How would your team describe your attitude on a daily basis?
  
  
• Does your attitude help or hinder those around you?
  
  
• How do you respond when something goes ’wrong’ in your practice?
  
  
• Do you see failures as opportunities for improvement?
  
  
  
  

About the Author

CoraMarie Clark, BSDH 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.

Strategix
phone 403.686.6136
email coramarie@strategix-ltd.com
web strategix-ltd.com

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