Dos and don'ts for practice communication

Enhance your verbal skills

Everything you do as the practice leader involves communication with your team. By improving your communication skills, you can become a better leader and take your team to the next level.

Use team members' names. Everyone likes to hear the sound of his or her name. When you're addressing a team member one-on-one, use his or her name during the conversation. This is the best way to grab someone's attention. How many times during the day do you say to a team member, "Can you do this?" without saying the person's name?

Don't be a poor listener. Listening involves two things: hearing what is said and what is not said. As the practice leader, you must listen "between the lines." Many people have trouble saying what they really think. Listen to their responses and watch their nonverbal language for clues revealing their true feelings.