In the past, most businesses would motivate their employees through raises, bonuses and other monetized perks. The struggling economy has caused many employers to find other ways to incentivize performance. You may be like others who are searching for ways to improve your staff’s satisfaction and performance without spending a lot. Here are a few simple ways to motivate your team which will improve their performance and have a positive effect on growing your dental practice.
Get to Know Your Employees
Employees, like customers, are diverse and aren’t cookie-cutter alike. An important step for you would be to get to know them and how they are best motivated. One way to do so would be to use an “Everything DiSC® Workplace Profile.” DiSC® is an assessment tool that increases a person’s understanding of what motivates them, how they respond to conflict, and how they best interact within group.
Strategic Practice Solutions is a licensed DiSC® dealer and offers several workshops for you and your team.
Listen Thoughtfully
Take time to truly listen during staff meetings and one-on-one interactions. We know you have a lot on your mind, but people can tell when you aren’t in tune with what they’re saying.
How to Demonstrate Effective Listening
Maintain good eye contact
Eliminate distractions like your computer, phone, stack of papers
Relax and engage your posture: sit or stand squarely to the person, try not to cross your arms, don’t doodle on paper, tap your fingers or otherwise fidget
Show signs of attention like nodding or leaning toward the person speaking
Repeat a summary of what the person said
Don’t interrupt or make conclusions
Mentor, Educate and Lead by Example
Take an interest in their career path and mentor them. Provide opportunities to learn and grow through training and education. You have a breadth of experience so it is tempting to share stories as examples. Yet, the focus needs to be on their journey. Ask them open ended questions and guide them toward answers.
In addition, it is important for you to also continuously improve by seeking education and training. The world is ever changing and everyone needs to make an effort to keep up! Your employees will view workshops, training and skill building more serious if they see you place a high value on continuous education.
A Little Faith Goes a Long Way
Show faith and trust in their abilities; perhaps appoint them to head a committee or a special project. Give them some autonomy to problem solve rather than a list of tasks to complete. It’s important to share your expectations while allowing them room to take tasks to a new level. They’ll rise to the challenge!
Good Job!
Give Praise to those who have earned it. Try not to give generic praise to the entire staff when work performances are not the same. When everyone wins a trophy, it tends to devalue the reward. Be mindful how a person best receives praise. If you are aware that an employee does not enjoy public attention it may work better to praise them on a quieter or individual level. For example, place their name and accomplishment in the company newsletter versus calling attention to them at a staff meeting.
Properly motivating your employees has great benefits. Happy employees will perform better and help your practice run more efficiently. They will also be more likely to provide excellent customer service, which is likely to have a positive effect on your profits.
If you’d like to learn more, contact us today. We can help you keep your team motivated and working more effectively! Ultimately, this will grow your dental practice and get you on the way to a happier, less stressful life.
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Strategic Practice Solutions, LLC