As you know, there are many different ingredients that need to go into a thriving practice. I would say one of the staple ingredients for any thriving practice is “effective leadership.”
Before we begin, I think it’s important to define what leadership is. Leadership is more than management because it’s not just about getting tasks done, it’s about guiding your team members with the right motivation and inspiration to accomplish the goals of the practice. I like to define leadership as having the whole team in one boat, rowing together toward one common clearly defined goal or objective. This type of leadership is a skill that can be learned, and these are 4 tips that will show you how to become an effective leader.
Provide an inspiring purpose
Without this element, all your other leadership efforts will likely fall flat. You can consider this the “why” of everything your team is doing. This is what will motivate your team members to get up in the morning and come in to work and feel that what they are doing has value. As a dental practice, I would suggest that your inspiring purpose is that you are changing people’s lives, and who doesn’t want to be a part of that?
Define your practice culture
Every practice has a culture, whether you realize it or not. The question is whether the existing culture in your practice is what you want it to be. If you haven’t defined the culture, chances are it probably isn’t. Think about what you want your practice to be like and define it clearly for your team and set an example of the culture for your team.
Make your expectations clear
Your team members likely juggle multiple responsibilities, so making your primary expectation clear can help to give them clarity and direction. When they know their primary responsibility or what your main expectation is, they can make decisions and prioritize work more easily.
Set up ongoing reviews
Regularly hearing how well you’re doing can provide much-needed direction. If you never review how things are going or only do this once a year, your team members will struggle to consistently grow and improve. These regular reviews can provide essential guidance in a much more positive and impactful way.
To keep your practice thriving, you need to provide your team with effective leadership. Keep your team rowing in the same direction and become a great leader by implementing these tips in your own practice.
Hear some more examples by listening to the full podcast episode!
