Leadership and teamwork during troubled times

Editor's note: The Coaches Corner column appears regularly on the DrBicuspid.com advice and opinion page, Second Opinion.

Practically every dentist I know struggles with exhaustion, whether it's physical, emotional, or intellectual. Face it: This is a tough profession! Worries over the economy, decreased patient flow, increased overhead, and more abound. You don't have to look far to participate in the troubled times.

Common themes I find with our exhausted colleagues include the following:

• Control. We love control. We think we must have it. We're control freaks. It was ingrained in us in school -- or at least we bought into it. (If you're like me, it was already there!) We think if we don't control every element, "it" won't turn out right. Oh, sure.
• Ego. If something doesn't turn out "right", then we're "less than" and we won't be liked, our patients will leave us, and we'll go under. Give me a break.
• Fear. Constant fear. Fear of loss of income. Fear of losing patients. Fear of "messing up." Fear of … well, anything.
• Conflict. Unable to effectively handle conflict. Avoidance of conflict. Tragedies and misunderstandings frequently result from mishandled conflict.

What’s a dentist to do? There's so much to juggle!

Here's a brief prescription for your ailments during troubled times -- and all times, for that matter! No, you don't have to get it all done today. Pick one area and work on it. When that one is settled, pick another.

1. Develop excellent communication skills. Your team will benefit too, so make the time, spend the money, or do whatever it takes to take your communication skills to a much higher level. If necessary, bring in a coach or expert in communication skills to work with you and your team.
2. Meet more often with your team, both individually and as a group. THEY WANT TO HELP. Your job is to set the course -- and then get out of the way. Yes, get out of the way!
3. Delegate, delegate, delegate -- then follow through by asking team members to report to you on their progress. Ask THEM to come to YOU by "x" date. Hey control freak -- don't micro-manage!
4. Take a walk each day, or do some sort of aerobic activity for 30 minutes each day. It's better than a Lexapro and healthier than alcohol.
5. Clean up your act, both personally and professionally. Dress more sharply, eat a healthy diet, develop your technical skills to a higher level … everything to be a model to yourself and others.
6. Spend the time necessary to develop each individual team member to his or her highest potential. No, it’s not your job to make their career successful, but if you're not 100% committed to their success in your practice, replace them with someone you can be committed to. Everyone is at a different level and always will be. Learn to dance with that. Thinking that it's "two steps forward, one step back" for your team's progress is stinkin'-thinkin' because it's unrealistic.
7. Learn about being a leader. Are leaders born? Yes. Are leaders developed? Yes. Either way, it's up to you be one. It comes with the territory.
8. What are you afraid of? Fear only resides between your ears. Write down what you fear. Go ahead, make the list. Talk it over with someone. See fear for what it really is.
9. Speaking of fear … learn effective conflict-resolution skills. Your ability to handle conflict in a productive way is one of the biggest determinants of success. Take risk, be truthful, and be sincere. The rest will work out.
10. Last, realize you have a team to do everything that needs to be done. Please don't try to do it yourself. They were hired by you to help, so let them. If you have someone that is just taking up space, set them free to work in another office.