I strongly believe that leaders are born but managers are made. None of us come into this world knowing how to be a good manager, but those of us with strong leadership skills tend to make better ones. So what do good managers know that you don’t? Buckle up, because I’m about to tell you.
Make the Doctor’s Life Easier
This is A, #1 the most important job of a manager in the orthodontic practice. You are there to take certain tasks off their plate and serve as a buffer between doctor and team. This means you need to quickly learn the needs of your doctor, how she likes to communicate and what makes her nuts. If you are new to management, take some time to brush up your skills by reading a good management book.
Don’t be the MOM
If you are a mom at home, you will get this one: “Mom, he took my toy!” What does that child expect you to do? Well, step in a retrieve said toy, of course. If you are put into a position where one of your team members asks you to mediate a conflict with another team member, do not do it. Ask the complaining team member to speak to the opposing party directly so nothing gets lost in translation. Let them know that you expect them to get the situation cleared up as soon as possible so that it does not interfere with their work. If you intervene then nothing will be resolved and they will just keep coming to you with their grievances.
Listen
If you spend most of your time talking to your team members instead of listening, chances are you are feeling frustrated in your role. Now I don’t mean to say that everything your team says to you requires some action or response, but make sure you are allowing them to respectfully say what’s on their mind. Sometimes a listening ear is all they need to get back on track.
Delegate
Trust me, I know how easy it is to get bogged down in the daily minutiae. But before you drown, take a minute to decide if there is some else your team that could handle some of your smaller tasks. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that it is harder to explain how to do something to someone else than to just do it yourself. Most good team members can figure things out on their own and adjust based on some simple feedback. Try it!
Be Consistent
Don’t be a hot mess at work, even if you are one at home. Your team needs to know what to expect from you, and in order for them to feel stable, they need you to be predictable and consistent. Maintain a calm demeanor and be unwavering, even in the face of adversity. Don’t let your team members rattle your chain. They will try to test your patience and your limits, they may even be unkind. Be prepared for this and shrug it off. Never engage in the he said/she said. Set your expectations, uphold the rules set out in your Team Member Owner’s Manual and treat everyone fairly.
Lead with Solutions
Problems are going to come up. The trick is to deal with them with a solutions-based approach. When a team member comes to you with a problem, ask them to return when they have three possible solutions to the problem. Likewise, before you present an issue to your doctor, be prepared to offer three solutions. Never dump a problem on your doctor, and don’t let your team dump problems on you.
Trust
Good managers are trusted members of the team. They work hard to earn the trust of their team and this often starts with the manager making the first move. This means that you are going to have to show your team members that you trust them, before they will consider trusting you. In short, allow them to make mistakes safely, don’t micromanage, allow them to vent periodically without rushing to your doctor to tell all, and finally, don’t play favorites.
Praise
Face it, running an orthodontic practice would be impossible without your dedicated team. Some days you will want to fire everybody, but trust me, it’s easier to focus on the many many positives than let the little things bog you down. Take a minute every day to thank your team for their hard work. When you see or hear someone doing something right, let them know how much you liked it. Drop short complimentary notes to team members from time to time. Always cheer their accomplishments. This is what good managers do.
Let’s Talk
Managing the orthodontic team is not for the weak of heart. You have to be firm but fair and be able to take it on the chin when the team doesn’t like a decision you or the doctor has made. But the rewards when your team succeeds under your guidance are nothing short of amazing. If you are one of those good managers who needs more guidance or a doctor who needs a manager, let’s talk.
