Be a Boss People Love to Work For

It’s no secret that the best leaders set the tone for the entire organization, building and investing in teams who really take pride in their work.

From my experience working in over 100 offices throughout my hygiene career, one thing always stood out: the best leaders encouraged learning by intentionally and consistently elevating their team so they can stay engaged and grow.

And yet, according to a 2022 Gallup study, only 32 percent of American workers said they felt “engaged” in their work. While this may not come as a surprise given recent hiring and retention challenges, the tides are shifting for the better, and it’s more important than ever to understand what it takes to build empowered teams who feel invested in their work and overall practice goals.

What is Employee Engagement?

Employee engagement is when team members feel passionate about their jobs, are committed to the office, and put additional effort into their work. Engaged team members have the freedom to do what they do best, have opportunities to develop their job skills, and are allowed to contribute their opinions as part of their work. Engagement is directly related to positive business outcomes. 

How Do Dental Offices Stay at the Top of Their Game?

Working as a temp in over 100 dental practices, I noticed two things the most successful and engaged practices shared in common: a growth and ownership mindset.

Top employers create a culture of team members who think and act like owners. What I witnessed working in so many different offices as a temp hygienist was that those who offered bonuses, profit-sharing, or aligned employee goals with the practice’s goals were the ones that thrived. When employees understand that the practice’s financial success is tied to their own, magic happens. 

Setting Transparent Goals:

One dentist I worked with set transparent goals for his office, with a clear revenue goal attached. The team had unified goals, and everyone played a part in getting us there. If someone on the team had another agenda or did not pull their part, the team figured it out. Everyone was on board and was given the support needed to achieve the team goal. The dentist took us to continuing education classes and regularly hosted lunch n’ learns. They challenged, stimulated, and always helped us to grow. He backed up his words with actions, and it was clear to all that he believed in our ability to achieve the goal. 

Establishing a Growth Mindset:

Another successful office invested in a similar strategy. They committed to spending time on the front end, creating a comprehensive onboarding process. Everyone was happy to help bring a new team member up to speed.

Having your best team members move on to the next dentist makes no sense because they don’t feel valued, challenged, or invested in. Employees experience a state of deep engagement as they learn, grow and gain traction. Maintaining the learning curve is crucial – you can always find new challenges and long-term team goals.

So, how can you stay at the top of your game and become a boss people love to work for? 

1. Have a common team goal with a revenue pool. Squeeze out entitlement. 
2. Encourage learning and progress toward a new learning curve. Keep them out of the boring part of the curve. 

Be a Leader to Love

The best leaders encourage learning and elevate their teams. A closed mindset comes from scarcity. I have heard dentists say, “But what if I train them, then they leave?” I prefer to think, “Oh, but what if you train them, and they stay?”

Being a leader who invests in employees and their engagement is what attracts and keeps team members. It is crucial in this job climate! When we spend a third of our lives at work, why not create a team and place where you, and the people who work for you, love to work? 

Updated October 2023