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Volume 6, Issue 4

Motivation for Retention

According to Webster, “Motivation is an inner urge that prompts a person to action with a sense of purpose.” This urge is typically guided by either the hope of benefits or fear of consequences.

One of the key drivers for motivation is having a clear focus. Put another way, it’s a strong mission or sense of purpose. Ideally this purpose brings with it a challenge that keeps things exciting and people engaged. Creating a challenge is one of the key reasons bonuses can be effective. Along with making the bonus, not only is their extra cash in one’s pocket, but there’s a thrilling sense of accomplishment… and a desire to make it happen again.

What is Motivation?

A basic principle in motivation is that people do their best when they know somebody believes in them, and they do their worst when they think no one believes in them. Leading and managing by this principle will help you bring out the best in your team. A team that is happy is likely to stay with your practice longer.
Another principle of motivation is the importance of team spirit.  Camaraderie and harmony go a long ways in keeping motivation high. When everyone is working together towards common goals, unity is developed.

However, your team can only be as strong as its weakest link.  Little can dampen team spirit as quickly as someone who’s not pulling their weight. Possibly the one thing that can have an even more detrimental effect on a team is a ‘boss’ who micromanages, constantly minimizing employee’s efforts. It’s amazing how many employers feel they must correct their employee’s shortfalls on a continual basis. Leaders with this frame of mind find themselves constantly putting out fires, going from one crisis to another – never truly able to move things forward as they are too focused on micromanaging their team.

Then there’s the ‘boss’ who likes to use threats as a way to improve performance. Motivation by threat is counterproductive – it’s not fun to feel threatened! Some people withdraw, others get aggressive, trying to prove they are right, and to show the value they bring to the team. Seldom is the desired result achieved through threats.

Team spirit is built by praising each other for a job well done, for a difficult situation handled well, and for supporting each other no matter what. Silence is not golden when it comes to acknowledgement.

Feeling valued in the workplace is essential for creating high employee motivation and morale. It requires that you recognize all opportunities where you can praise and acknowledge a job well done.

Take Time to Celebrate

Celebrate each victory however small! Take the time to enjoy the fruits of your labor; this will lay a strong foundation for long-term motivation. With the help of your team, create traditions you can all look forward to.  Meaningful traditions will create powerful stories about your practice. Keep a journal in your office to jot down special moments, and don’t forget to insert photographs to further solidify the memories.

This journal can also be used to keep track of all the wonderful comments patients share about their experience in your office. It can be very moving to have somebody read these comments out loud at team meetings.  As you share in the joy of a compliment, become aware of how you can make sure positive actions are repeated – learning how to further improve the service you provide.

Many offices have a weekly or even monthly ritual of having a Wine Down to finish the week. You can share a bottle of wine in the office or the team can go out for drinks. This is a great way to get to know each other on a more personal level and wind down from the busy week together.

How’s Your Motivation?

The effect you have on employee motivation is immeasurable. Try to understand how your employees see you; how they perceive the messages you give them. Your words, the tone you use, your body language, and the expression on your face, they all speak volumes to your employees – and your patients. What is the message they are receiving?

A young dentist I worked with despised mornings. He confessed to coming to work feeling grumpy every morning. His team had as little to do with him as possible for the first two hours of every day. By that time his irritability seemed to vanish, and they all had fun for the rest of the day.

After taking a serious look at the impact his actions were having on his team, and ultimately his bottom line, he made the decision to come to work happy every single morning... regardless of how he felt inside.  Within weeks his new attitude had taken over, becoming how he truly felt. It’s amazing what a profound impact a simple, or not so simple, decision can make.

Keep in mind, your motivation, or lack thereof, is contagious!

Start the day right. Smile. Greet your team members. Let them know you are excited about the day! It’s up to you decide what kind of environment you work in; the cost of not creating a great environment is far too high. You have the opportunity to have exemplary interactions with your team members, encouraging them to be their best. Tell them how much you appreciate their initiative, attention to detail and the exquisite care they take of your clients. The more you develop, support and praise your team, the more committed they will be to your practice.

Ways to Encourage Motivation in Your Team   

• Make the job important in the eyes of the team member
  
  
• Train your team for peak performance
  
  
• Coach each person to be their best
  
  
• Stimulate your team by giving them responsibility
  
  
• Remember, you earn trust by being trustworthy – and by trusting in return
  
  
• Maintain rapport
  
  
• Show respect
  
  
• Understand each individuals working style, and then do your best to design work that taps into the ‘intrinsic’ rewards that are meaningful to them
  
  
• Acknowledge and reward great performance
  
  
• Never be too busy to laugh.  Nothing gets people through a crisis like a good laugh with a boss who’s willing to enjoy it with them.

Motivation is highly personal; no one can motivate us over the long-term.  But an inspirational leader is a powerful catalyst for motivation. By creating a healthy environment that fosters intrinsic motivation, you bring out the best in your team, which will lead to committed, loyal employees.

Points to Ponder:

• Do your employees know you believe in them.... and does that belief inspire them to become their best?
  
  
• Do you micromanage or are you a leader that your team wants to follow?
  
  
• Is the way you start your day exemplary for your team members... or is it a downer?
  
  
• How do you motivate your team?
  
  
• Do you take time regularly to celebrate your practice successes?
  
  
  

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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