Silence is not golden, and certain things do not go without saying. As the leader of your practice, you can improve team performance measurably by expressing your appreciation. With a steady stream of "thank yous" and compliments for staff efforts, you'll reinforce their good habits and inspire them to do even better.
Get in the habit of giving positive feedback. There are probably numerous opportunities through the course of the day for you to show your appreciation to staff members. If you're not accustomed to saying thanks or making positive comments, it will be a two-step process for you: 1. Watch for praiseworthy actions; 2. Say something nice about them.
Don't set too high a standard. Rather than waiting to see actions "above and beyond the call of duty," be generous in your praises. Someone just doing her job consistently, reliably, has great value for your practice, and you should acknowledge her contribution at every opportunity. From the other person's point of view, this will never get old.
Roger P. Levin, DDS, is the chairman and CEO of practice management consulting firm Levin Group. You can connect with Levin Group on Facebook and Twitter (@Levin_Group) to learn more strategies and share ideas. Also, check out Dr. Levin's free practice management videos at www.levingroup.com/gp.
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