Does Your Dental Team Have a Touchstone to Rally Around?

This is a picture of the words that all of our team members at Spear see as they enter their workspace area. When we expanded our operations to take over additional space here, we paid special attention to the dynamics of that workspace. We wanted to get away from the traditional "cubicle farm" model and create a more open environment that would inspire a heightened sense of involvement, collaboration and exploration. And we wanted our people to be reminded of our commitment to that mindset of absolute engagement every day.

That's also why we had these words put on the doorway leading into this part of the facility:

Through these doors walk people committed to lifelong learning.

To fostering a culture of great dentistry.

Their daily work makes it possible for doctors to practice their profession at the highest levels, and ensures that patients throughout the world are offered an exceptional standard of care.

Inspiring healthy smiles is the best work we can imagine.

Core Values and Your Dental Team

These are not just nice-sounding sentiments that we put up as decoration. They serve a real purpose. It is the job of a leader to give their people a vision, to motivate them and to give them the tools and the room to go out and be creative and get things done in the service of a defined higher purpose. But the simple reality is that you can't always be there, offering coaching and encouragement to each person in each situation. It is also true that even the best performers, in the absence of that constant coaching, can start to lose that sense of forward momentum and will default toward the path of least resistance.

That's why these words are up there—to be a continual reminder to our people of what their greater purpose is, and to inspire them to keep their heads in the game.

This is something you can do with your dental team, too. It doesn't have to be a wall word-mural like this. It can be as simple as a framed declaration of purpose in the dental team break room, it could be a tradition of each dental team member taking turns reciting the practice's core values at the morning meeting, or a declaration of your principles at the top of everyone's daysheet.

The point is, that there should be something there that dental team members will see or hear every day; something that acts as a mindset reinforcement, so that even in the midst of the minute-to-minute problem-solving that often consumes or diverts a dental team member's attention, they will have this touchstone of leadership wisdom to remind them of what it is all about.


If you find topics like this helpful, check out Imtiaz Manji's practice management courses available to you through our Course Library. Not yet a member of Digital Suite? Click here to learn more.