When you run your own business, the way you treat your employees matters. This is especially true in the close-knit environment of a dental practice. You want every member of your staff to feel comfortable while recognizing potential sources of conflict. Creating a good office environment starts by establishing a culture of balance and respect. Here are some do’s and don’ts you should follow to help create this culture.
DO be genuine: Make sure that you show a legitimate interest in the members of your team—not just concerning the job, but also their personal lives. Whether you are establishing relationships with new staff members or communicating with the longest-tenured person on your team, avoid approaching any conversation from the standpoint of judgment and criticism.
DO listen: Conflicts are inevitable in the workplace. This is a consequence of bringing together people with different views and experiences. When one of these conflicts does occur, practice active listening. Fully concentrate on everything that is being said by each party in the conflict and make sure you understand. Having all the information, and showing each person involved that you have a true interest, will help make the fairest decision possible.
DO give praise: Happy employees feel appreciated by their employer. Make sure to acknowledge and appreciate any achievements by any member of your team. And, if your staff chooses to acknowledge and appreciate some of your own achievements, then let them.
DO practice transparency: The best way to foster respect among your entire staff is to be open and honest in all your dealings, at all times. As the person in charge, you need to be willing to be totally open about every aspect of the practice. Demonstrating this transparency will encourage the members of your team to communicate in the same way.
DON’T gossip: Gossip can corrupt relationships and be toxic to a workplace. If you ever encounter gossip, curtail it immediately—even if you are the recipient of the gossip. Left unchecked, this type of gossiping can cause schisms in your staff, possibly leading people to quit or even be terminated.
DON’T assume: Making assumptions about someone can be an easy way to offend them. If you are unsure as to what the words or actions of a member of your team might mean, just be direct and ask them. When asking these questions, do so from a place of care and concern. This helps create a culture of respect.
DON’T tattle: If your staff members are coming to you with tales of the misdeeds of their colleagues, this is a problem. Let your team know this sort of tattling is immature and unacceptable. If there is a conflict, get everyone involved to sit down and communicate about it to reach a resolution that, hopefully, benefits all sides.
DON’T be a hypocrite: Operating your practice with a “do as I say, not as I do” mentality is an easy way to foster resentment. By practicing what you preach, your staff will respect you—not because they feel obligated to, but because you have earned their respect. Just as parents must set a good example for their children, bosses must do the same for their employees.
Need some help fostering a culture of respect? Bryant Consultants can help. Using our services, you can realize your vision, establish goals, and set processes in place to evolve your practice. Contact us by calling (877) 768-4799.
We provide consultation, training, and coaching to help improve the operations of your practice so that you can provide exceptional results to your patients. No office is out of reach for us; we will even come to you!
