Changing the Sails Without Rocking the Boat

How to make adjustments at your practice that won’t upset your staff

Shaping a dental practice while retaining the team’s spirit calls for a mix of clear communication, teamwork, and a gentle touch. Here’s how you can steer the ship without causing stormy seas:

1. Open Communication: Encourage a workspace where everyone’s voice is heard. Before you set sail toward change, share its whys and hows and invite your team’s thoughts. This helps them understand the course and feel part of the journey.
2. All Hands on Deck: Engage your team to help plot the path through change as this boosts their stakes in the process and strengthens their dedication. Why not create a crew council or brainstorming sessions to capture a myriad of views?
3. Charting the Course: Showcase the intent and goals of the proposed changes. Help your team see how these align with the practice’s future success. Remember, giving context eases worries and shows the change is for the business’s overall good.
4. Learning the Ropes: Equip your employees with the tools to adapt to the new waters. Offer CE resources like workshops, webinars, or online courses to hone their skills. Investing in their growth fortifies your commitment to their well-being.
5. Navigating Rough Waters: Address any weary feelings or resistance with respect and understanding. Listen, validate, and allay their fears. Be open about the potential rough seas and uncertainties that the changes might bring.
6. Steady as She Goes: When feasible, introduce changes gradually. This lets the crew adjust at a steady pace and creates room to tackle any issues that surface. Segmenting larger shifts into smaller, more manageable steps prevents chaos and overwhelm.
7. Celebrate the Voyage: Applaud milestones and achievements linked to the changes, and highlight the team’s efforts in adapting and achieving positive results. Celebrating progress stirs up a sense of achievement and motivation among the staff.
8. Crew’s Log: Create a feedback loop where your employees can share their experiences and thoughts on the changes. Regularly check the team’s morale and tackle any ongoing issues, and be sure to adjust the course as needed based on the crew’s feedback.

The only thing constant in life and business is change. You can introduce changes at your practice effectively, while keeping your team’s spirit alive by taking calculated steps. Collaboration, communication, and understanding are the anchors to successful change without causing unnecessary stress or discord.