Hiring the right dental team members is one of the most important and challenging aspects of growing a successful dental practice. Team connection and enthusiasm are vital for building a positive culture attractive to applicants and retaining spectacular assistants, hygienists, and associates. Therefore, exploring different team-building activities can strengthen team member bonds, contribute to the team’s success, and make the work day enjoyable. Our dental practice consultants at Bryant Consultants share on the blog today three ideas for engaging team meetings that can bring your team together and make them stronger.
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Team Lunches
Some dental practices schedule days with back-to-back patients, resulting in short breaks or lunches. Even though the schedule illustrates your office is busy, it can quickly lead to overworked and overwhelmed team members. Additionally, a full schedule doesn’t allow proper time for the staff to communicate with each other. Therefore, our dental office coaches recommend scheduling a monthly informal lunch that can offer an opportunity for employees to grow their relationships. You could also schedule a lunch out of the office for special occasions, helping escape the office environment. However, it’s crucial to block out the time in your practice’s schedule so that no patient appointments are available. Team lunches can give you an excellent time to thank employees for their hard work and dedication, helping them feel valued and appreciated.
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Team Memory Wall
Team memory walls are an inexpensive way to foster team connections and growth. Using a magnetic whiteboard, corkboard, or bulletin board, encourage team members to post pictures of life events like a new family member, new pet, or holiday photos. Include some photos from within the practice from theme days, holidays, training, or team lunches. The variety of pictures could provide more connection opportunities as team members discover others with the same traditions or interests. Our dental office consultants recommend including practice awards and achievements to promote a team atmosphere and mindset.
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Friendly Competition
Friendly, healthy competition can create lifetime memories with your dental team. Understandably, finding time to play a complex game can be challenging, so opt for shorter games that can boost the team bonding experience and be enjoyable for all.
One fun, quick, and easy-to-set-up game is yard golf or ladder ball. Each team sets up a goal across from one another that looks like ladders. Then, a team member will throw bolas at the rungs of the ladder. A player scores points when they land their bolas on one of the three rungs. Yard golf is an inexpensive game that requires minimal setup and is quick to play, making it perfect for a short afternoon break or a lunch hour game. If yard golf is not a game suitable for your team, there are other game options to foster team interactions and bonding while enjoying friendly competition. Perhaps an interactive board game is more suitable for your team. Explore ideas that work best for you and your office. And if your budget allows, maybe you take your team off-site for some fun playing miniature golf or another fun activity.
Bryant Consultants
Your dental team dynamics begin with your leadership. When you encourage team development through engaging team meetings regularly, your employees will develop personal connections with each other that can result in a more effective workplace. Most importantly, patients may sense when there’s discord in your office, so it’s important to foster positive employee relationships. If you’ve tried to hold team lunches or host other team-building activities and received minimal results, our dental office consultants at Bryant Consultants can provide direction and help to make your next team event a success. Call our office at (877) 768-4799 to schedule your consultation.
