As a dental office manager, one of your most important jobs is keeping your team calm, collected, and productive. This can be a tall order, especially when you're dealing with the day-to-day stressors that come with managing a dental office.
But there are a few things you can do to help keep your team on track. Let’s talk about them!
Establish a Clear Chain of Command
One of the most important things you can do is establish a clear chain of command. Make sure everyone knows who is in charge of what and that there is a clear line of communication between you and your team members. This is especially important when it comes to dealing with stressful situations. In practice, it looks like this:
If a team member has a problem, they know who to go to for help.
If a team member is feeling overwhelmed, they know who to talk to.
If a team member is having a bad day, they know who to turn to.
This may seem like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised how often dental offices fail to establish a clear chain of command. When there is confusion about who is in charge of what, it can lead to a lot of unnecessary stress for everyone involved.
Create a Positive Work Environment
Another important thing you can do to keep your team calm and productive is to create a positive work environment. This means providing your team members with the resources they need to do their job well and making sure the office is a place where they feel comfortable coming to work every day.
There are a number of ways to create a positive work environment, but some of the most important things you can do are:
Encourage open communication
Make sure everyone feels like they are part of the team
Encourage positive reinforcement
Encourage Communication & Collaboration
Encourage collaboration and communication among your team members by setting up regular meetings - whether they are weekly or monthly - where everyone can voice their concerns and share ideas. And be sure to acknowledge the team's efforts, both publicly and privately. Let them know that you appreciate their hard work and dedication.
Make sure everyone feels like they are part of the team by involving them in decision-making and giving them a sense of ownership over their work. No one likes to feel like they are just a cog in the machine, so make sure your team members know that their opinion matters and that they are appreciated.
Delete Tasks Effectively
Make sure each team member has a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities and that they are comfortable with the level of responsibility they have been given. If someone is feeling overwhelmed, see if there is someone else on the team who can take on some of their workloads.
Address Problems Promptly
If something is not working the way it should be, or if someone on the team is having difficulty meeting their responsibilities, don't wait to deal with it. The sooner you address the problem, the sooner it will be resolved. Finally, don't forget to reward good work. A little recognition goes a long way in keeping people motivated and committed to their jobs.
Conclusion
By following these tips, you can help keep your dental team calm, collected, and productive - no matter how stressful the job may be. By establishing a clear chain of command, encouraging communication and collaboration, acknowledging your team's efforts, delegating tasks effectively, addressing problems promptly, and rewarding good work, you'll create an environment where everyone can do their best work.
And one huge thing that you can't forget is to hire staff that is able to be effective members of your dental team. Stynt is the perfect place to find those top-notch candidates. With our state-of-the-art matching algorithm, you can be sure that you'll find the perfect staff near you.