10 ways to motivate your team
A dental practice’s success is dependent on a well-trained, motivated team. It’s your responsibility as a leader to establish a vision, set a standard that supports that vision, and train and motivate your team.
Here are 10 ways to guide your team to success.
1. Emphasize your purpose
You establish a vision for your practice that incorporates a purpose or mission. And every aspect of your business is informed by that vision – how you answer the phone, train your team, treat patients… Remind your team that their dedication to that vision is what will determine success
2. Understand what your team needs
The only way you are going to understand what your team needs from you in order to be more successful is to ask questions and listen to the answers.
3. Treat your staff with respect
A fundamental need is to feel worth and value, and the way you treat your staff on a day to day basis goes a long way to making them feel good. Show respect for hard work and dedication and you will be rewarded with a more productive team.
4. Lead by example
As stated above, you set the standard for your business. And part of your success is understanding that your leadership will support that standard. Create solid habits that reflect your dedication to success, and your team will follow your example.
5. Follow through
When you do what you say you will do, you maintain the respect of your team. Developing a reputation for keeping your word through establishes you as someone with integrity and worthy of trust.
6. Get your team engaged
Most people want to feel like they are contributing to an organization’s success. Encourage this interest by welcoming input and recognizing every contribution.
7. Be fair AND nice
Create an environment where your staff has reasonable expectations of consistent, fair, and respectful treatment by the “boss.” Moodiness and playing favorites are surefire ways to create an unproductive, toxic workplace.
8. Recognize your limits
No one person has the answers to every question or challenge. When you find yourself in a situation where you are not sure of what action to take, admit your limits, be open to input from your team, and use it as an opportunity to grow and learn something.
9. Encourage growth
Learning and growth are a key component of a fulfilling career and life. Encourage your team to continue building skills, and support their growth with learning opportunities.
10. Hold your team accountable
When your team is charged with specific responsibilities, it works to increase engagement. Holding them accountable to reasonable goals will help them grow as individuals and as employees.
Watch All-Star Dental Academy’s Head Instructor Larry Guzzardo and myself explore the issue of motivating your team in a recent Study Club about motivating your team (student login required). Click here to view it now.
You can also learn more about leadership and other critical skills in a free online training event, “The All-Star Dental MBA.” Click here to learn more about the webinar and sign up for a time and date that works best for you.
