Are You Giving Your Team The Chance to be Great?

I can look back over a lot of accomplishments in my business career, but one of things that makes me proudest is the number of people who can look back with me and chart their own progress, too. I have people around me who have been with me for 10, 15, even 20 years or more. And I like to think that it's because I have given them an opportunity to continually grow and redefine themselves.

Great people need to have an environment in which to be great. And that means an environment where everyone has an opportunity to flourish and grow. It's true in any business, but it's especially true in an operation like a dental practice, where the opportunities for “promotion,” in the traditional sense, are limited.

A hygienist is probably always going to be a hygienist, an administrator is likely to always be in administration. But just because you can't promote people doesn't mean their jobs can't become more interesting, more creative and involve more responsibility.

Growing practices sense their own vitality. They know they are growing and each member understands their role in contributing to the ongoing success. It's the kind of atmosphere that keeps people feeling engaged and rewarded.

By contrast, you can see the energy and engagement that is missing in a practice that is not growing, or where team members feel trapped in a routine, like hamsters going around in a wheel. There is a lack of excitement and belief in possibilities. And when that happens, you have to do something to restart the engine.

Dentists are a pretty creative bunch, so I'm interested to hear what you do to keep things fresh and keep your people engaged and growing. Please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments.