AN EFFECTIVE WAY TO COACH TEAM MEMBERS

Studies by Human Resource experts suggest several motivational factors that can stimulate greater commitment and participation by individuals on a dental team.  ATTENTION, APPRECIATION, and ACHIEVEMENT headline the list.

Pay attention to your staff members, individually and as a group.  Greet them warmly each morning, even on those mornings you’d rather not.  Listen to them and respond to their input, even if it means saying, “No; not right now.” to some of their suggestions.  Without getting overly personal, be aware of their lives outside the dental office; showing concern for their joys and challenges, even if you’d rather not.  Paying attention to staff stokes the fires of synergism, the weaving together of a dynamic team that can accomplish way more than individuals simply working in the same office can do.

Appreciate staff, expressing your appreciation verbally and through enjoyable activities.  Ways to show your appreciation are endless---a verbal “pat on the back” when deserved can work wonders; a rose delivered to each team member after a particularly stressful day; an occasional lunch for the group; a team-family outing; an expense-paid trip to a dental meeting which includes C.E. courses, trade show booths, and some fun activities.  Help team members understand they are key to caring for patients and a major factor in the overall success of the practice---they are!  The list of ways to express appreciation to your staff is limited only by your imagination and budget.

Encourage a sense of achievement by coaching team members to grow in their skills and competencies.  Use “teachable moments” to train staff members in new duties and tasks.  Delegate willingly once a team member proves her/his ability to take on additional responsibilities.  Equally important, resist the propensity many dentists have to micro-manage all delegated tasks.  And as a team member grows in skill levels and a sense of achievement, pay attention and appreciate her/him.  Insist that your team members speak of working WITH you rather than FOR you---a minor change in mindset that encourages growth in job pride which leads to ever-greater achievement. 

An excellent tool to use in your effort to pay attention, show appreciation, and applaud achievement is a Development Assessment.  Give the following form, with any changes you wish to make, to a staff member at least a week prior to a one-on-one discussion with her/him.  Encourage candor and listen non-defensively to that team member’s answers.

Development Assessment for Dental Team Members

Please answer the following:

What is your favorite part of your job?  Least favorite?

What are 2 or 3 accomplishments/skills of which you feel most proud in your work?

What are 2 or 3 new goals you would like to undertake? Is anything standing in the way of               your doing so?

What are the main challenges and problems that you are facing in your work?

What can I do to help you handle or change these things?

What can I do to help you improve your skills or learn new ones?

What would help you feel more successful in your work?

What motivates you to move beyond your comfort zone at work?  To accept and conquer               challenges?  To want to grow in your work?

Appraiser Comments:

Your most significant accomplishments recently have been:

Two or three goals, skills, or challenges I suggest you work on are:

I will help you with:

Let’s meet again on (Date---perhaps three to six months hence) to evaluate your progress                and set new goals.