The Power of Influence

The acceptance of personal responsibility for ones’ conduct and influence on the workplace has a very real and powerful impact on the overall success of a dental practice.  This influence in and of itself can hold a practice back or propel a practice forward. 

Through our attitudes, communication and behavior, each staff member plays a central role in the process of either contributing to or detracting from the dental work environment and realization of goals.  There is no neutral influence.

Realizing a healthy and productive work environment involves all staff members accepting personal responsibility for the quality of their working relationships and the influence of their conduct (attitude, communication and behavior) on the workplace.

Leadership and self management are synonymous.  Practicing the attributes of leadership leads to greater personal freedom and satisfaction for all staff members.

“Example is not the main thing in influencing others; it's the only thing.”

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Albert Schweitzer

Leadership and Self Management

The opportunity for leadership in your practice is not restricted by anyone’s position or decision making authority.  Leadership represents an opportunity for all staff members to grow as individuals and contribute value to the workplace.

Key attributes of leadership and self management include:

• The ability to maintain focus towards goals and objectives.
• A commitment to maintaining high expectations of self and others.
• Consistency and follow through – service and systems.
• Keeping ones' word – following through with promises or commitments.
• Acknowledgement and correction of mistakes.
• Demonstrating initiative - solving problems vs. complaining or waiting for others to fix them.
• Demonstrating honesty and responsibility in dealing with issues or concerns.
• Acceptance of personal responsibility for ones’ conduct and influence on the workplace.

Ongoing Learning

Achieving excellence requires staff members’ individual commitment to ongoing learning, development and growth which is  aspired to for its own intrinsic value. 

Ongoing learning includes acquiring the knowledge and skills that are necessary to provide high standards of treatment, service and care to patients as well as contribute leadership and value to the workplace.

Many of the skills, attitudes and behaviors that enable us to be more effective as individuals in the workplace apply to other aspects of our lives.  Ongoing learning results in increased confidence and capabilities that enable us to become more satisfied and effective in all facets of our lives.

 “It's what you learn after you know it all - that counts.”

                    John Wooden                                                                                                                                                          

Essential Skills

Commitment, hard work and the desire to succeed (although important attributes), in and of themselves are insufficient to achieve quality or excellence in the provision of treatment, service and care to patients. 

Team members must develop knowledge and skills in specific areas in order to achieve high standards and provide for a healthy and productive work environment.  These include:

 1. Job Skills Which Include Systems Management Skills

2. Patient Service & Consultation Skills

3. Leadership and Self Management Skills

4. Problem Solving Skills

5. Teamwork and Communication Skills

The acquisition of knowledge and skills in the areas enables staff members to work together more effectively as well as participate in the ongoing process of improving the systems of your practice.

Acquiring these skills represents learning and growth opportunities that allow team members to contribute value to the workplace and in the process of doing so, guarantee their employ-ability in addition to their employment.

“Learning patience takes a lot of patience!”

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Tim Hansel

Essential Skills

Commitment, hard work and the desire to succeed (although important attributes), in and of themselves are insufficient to achieve quality or excellence in the provision of treatment, service and care to patients. 

Team members must develop knowledge and skills in specific areas in order to achieve high standards and provide for a healthy and productive work environment.  These include:

 1. Job Skills Which Include Systems Management Skills

2. Patient Service & Consultation Skills

3. Leadership and Self Management Skills

4. Problem Solving Skills

5. Teamwork and Communication Skills

The acquisition of knowledge and skills in the areas enables staff members to work together more effectively as well as participate in the ongoing process of improving the systems of your practice.

Acquiring these skills represents learning and growth opportunities that allow team members to contribute value to the workplace and in the process of doing so, guarantee their employ-ability in addition to their employment.

“Learning patience takes a lot of patience!”

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Tim Hansel

Self Management Philosophy

Systems of management based upon authority, power and control have exhausted their value and are predisposed to producing mediocre results.  Much of what we want from our work environment and working relationships is reflected in the self management philosophy statement outlined below. 

 “People are creatures of integrity and want to do a good job; belong to something bigger than themselves; break bureaucratic chains of alienation; experience joy in work; and be recognized, trusted, treated with dignity, and delegated authority and accountability.”

“People do not want managers anymore - people want leaders.  And the leaders they want are not the paternalistic or autocratic models.  Many of today’s workers want a manager / leader who adds their own unique perspectives and skills to a self directed - participative environment.  They want a manager who helps, not one who controls.

“Management commitment means fanatical trust in people’s integrity and obsessive intolerance for anything less than the full and continuous application of management principles and practices.”

Making Cultural Change Happen - H David Shuster

The type of working environment reflected in these statements represents an ideal vision of a self managed work environment.  Realizing this type of working environment and the benefits involved represents a responsibility shared by all team members.