Dos and don'ts for practice leadership: Be your practice's CEO -- chief energy officer

It takes a considerable amount of energy to get through a normal day in a dental practice, and the demand is even greater on more stressful, chaotic days. As the practice leader, you need to ensure that your team's energy level remains high, and you can make that happen by using special staff-energizing techniques.

Bring positive energy to the office every day. Your energy level can have a profound effect on members of your team. There are several techniques you can use to help them get through the day with energy to spare:

• Make the effort to project personal energy in every action, regardless of how you really feel.
• Greet every staff member by name -- every day.
• Compliment team members frequently.
• Acknowledge exceptional on-the-job performance.

Don't depend on others to play this role.Many practices have one or more high-energy team members. If your office does, that's great -- as long as it's positive energy -- but that doesn't let you off the hook. As practice leader, you set the tone.

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.

The comments and observations expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of DrBicuspid.com, nor should they be construed as an endorsement or admonishment of any particular idea, vendor, or organization.