The Practicon Viewpoint by Ann Page Griffin

A TOOL FOR COACHING YOUR TEAM'S PROFESSIONAL GROWTH

WELL WORTH THE TIME AND EFFORT

The most successful dental practices with whom I've worked as a consultant are those that emphasize professional growth and development of team members from the first day of employment. The dentist assumes the role of team coach, tutor, and mentor, and his or her interest in team and individual development never wanes.

The following is a template for evaluating an individual team member's current skill level, identifying skills that need improvement, and developing ways the coach/dentist or senior assistant can help. This form, particularly helpful during the first 12 to 18 months of employment, can be an essential tool in a team member development program.

The first section of the form contains questions to be answered by the team member and submitted to the dentist several days before the one-on-one discussion. The dentist should carefully complete the second section so that this input is valued by the team member and regarded as an opportunity for professional growth. The third section confirms that the team member understands his or her commitment to improvement on the job, as well as an understanding that this represents an opportunity for enhancing work skills, and that follow-up will occur.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES

Please answer:

• What two or three things cause you to feel pride in your work?


• What are two or three goals you would like to undertake or to develop further?


• What are the challenges and problems that you now face in your work?




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

• What would help you feel more successful in your work?

Coach's comments:

• Your most outstanding skills and accomplishments in your work are:


• Additionally, I would like to see you focus on improvement or development of these areas:


• I will help you with:

Commitment:

• We will meet again in ________ months to evaluate your progress.

Team member's signature

__________________________________

Coach's signature

__________________________________

Date

______________________

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