It’s clear some people go through life overwhelmed, unhappy and frustrated. It manifests in how they communicate with others. I’ve had my fair share of frustrating days, even weeks and maybe even years. The point is, we’ve all been there. I’m not pointing this out from my ivory tower. I promise you that.
Running a business is no easy task. Pair that with the emotional toll of patient care and you have an environment perfect for storms.
Somewhere at some point in time, advisors, speakers or educators told the doctors they should “only be doing dentistry.” Some took that to heart and anytime their business requires them to roll up their sleeves, they feel resentful. This creates a very difficult work environment for the team.
Let’s face it, as a business owner, you are always going to do things that are outside of your role. Even 10 years into business with 3 graphic designers, I will occasionally fire up Photoshop and finalize some creative work. I won’t however, spend the rest of the day angry because I did a task that wasn’t “the highest and best use of my time”.
If you want your employees and business advisors (you may even call us vendors, which is highly offensive) to do more for you, do these three things:
- Talk to your employees the way you talk to your patients. Show them appreciation. Ask them questions. Lead with respect always. It seems in business we have no problem putting our best foot forward with clients, customers, and patients, but we show our ugliest side to our team.
- Talk to your business advisors with the same respect you use when talking to patients. They’ll want to talk to you. They’ll want to be sure you are well cared for. People think the squeaky wheel gets the oil. Maybe that’s the case sometimes. In more cases than not, if you aren’t kind and respectful to people, they won’t want to go the extra mile for you.
- Get happy. Embrace the fact that you are a business owner and sometimes you need to do things that are outside of your dental degree. Learn whatever you can. Hire the right support team (both internally and in advisors). Work to get everyone else set up so that they can succeed. Know that at some point you may be able to primarily do dentistry, but it may take some time to get there.
If you are miserable in your practice and feel that things have gotten out of control. It’s time to hire professionals to help organize, streamline and reenergize your business. Contact me at Grace@identitydental.com and I can help you find the right advisor.
It’s never too late to make a positive change.
