3 Ways to Create a Happier Team

Posted October 4, 2016 by Danielle H

Happy National Customer Service Week! This week kicks off a time where we recognize the efforts and achievements of ourteam and say thanks. Specifically, we are focused on the theme – Great Attitude, Great Team, Great Results. The XLDent team is taking time to learn from each other, strengthen their skills and have a little fun along the way. We know that a happy team is more likely to provide even better service to our customers. Want to learn more about how to create a happier team in your dental office? Here are 3 ways to help you get started:

1 Say thank you

Ok… this is an obvious one, but, how often do you actually thank your team? Make it a point to show your appreciation on a regular basis and remember to be specific.

Don’t say: “Thank you for the hard work today!”

Do say: “You did an excellent job making Justin comfortable during his procedure today, thank you!”

2 Eat together

A Gallup Study from 2013 found that about 2/3 of employees would stay at a job because they had good relationships with their coworkers. When people have the chance to connect with each other socially, they are happier at work. So spend the money to provide lunch for your group once in a while. Consider adding in the occasional after-work activity as a show of appreciation.

3 Invest in people

All team members need to be given the opportunity to advance personal growth. This can be especially challenging for dental practice owners. The nature of small dental practices and the focus on production time will force you to be more creative to fulfill this need for your team.

Start by engaging with your employees and learning about their educational interests. Ask each team member to think about educational opportunities that interest them. Then, schedule a team meeting to openly discuss the ideas or courses that each person is interested in. This is your time to listen so encourage the group to share. Finally, find ways to apply these ideas and offer new opportunities for your team. If your budget is small, focus on web based training opportunities.

While many things seem like a greater challenge when you’re a small business owner, engaging with your team may actually be easier. You have the ability to get to know each employee on a personal level. Use these ideas to create strong relationships with your team members. Your practice will be more successful (and profitable) when your team is happy.

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