Building a Thriving Culture Within Your Practice
Does your practice represent a team culture that embodies success? If not, how do you lead your team to that sweet spot so many practices strive to achieve?
For our office, it starts with leadership.
Many say leadership begins at the top. I agree with you, but where do you go from there? Who continues leading the team with the core values and fundamentals representing your practice?
I take my role as our office manager personally. I value and respect every aspect that represents my responsibility to my doctor-owner. I am fortunate to have the confidence of an owner-doctor who trusts me to embrace our vision, implement systems, and lead by example while creating a work environment unique to our team and patients.
Areas that foster our culture are leadership, accountability, transparency, embracing feedback, and building trust. These are demonstrated daily with a large dose of love and respect for each other. Building a thriving culture is something you invest in every day.
Meet with your team, trust your team, and, most importantly, listen to your team. A great leader will get to know their team as employees and people.
Great leaders allow room for growth and commit to each employee’s growth plan. If you build a culture that inspires employees to succeed, great work will occur. What is important is that your employees share the values you demonstrate in your practice’s core values.
Accountability
Accountability starts with leadership. Leaders accept responsibility not only for their actions but also for those of their team. We are responsible for teaching our team what level of accountability we expect. That said, we must leave room for error and change.
Not all errors are intentional: Mistakes create a learning experience, and accountability equals ownership.
How do we, as leaders, demonstrate accountability?
We lead with sincerity, mindfulness of expectations, systems, deadlines, and the willingness to be open-minded. Accountability will positively impact your team.
Feedback should be embraced as a positive experience from a manager’s point of view. Invite and encourage your team to give input and lead with the willingness to be uncomfortable. A team that trusts its leadership will invest in the practice’s success and protect its tribe at all costs.
Establishing Trust and Transparency
Your team has entrusted you to help facilitate their concerns safely and fairly. It is essential never to lose the trust of your employees.
As leaders, we may not always agree with what the employee brings to our attention or their version of a resolution. However, we must remain fair and honest and follow the same rules for everyone.
Establish clear expectations and communicate in an empathic but strong manner in your communication delivery. Keep in mind that employees want to be seen as well as heard. How you respond as their leader will determine how the employee perceives the value of their concern.
Being transparent with your team lends value to your systems and ensures everyone has the same goal for success. Transparency also supports the practice’s vision and mimics the structure in place so that no one is excluded. Having open lines of communication allows your team to feel their contribution matters.
What makes your team special and unique to your practice? Do you want to build a culture that holds each other accountable for the well-being of your team, your patients, and your dental community?
A culture that demonstrates and encourages excellent relationships and teamwork and celebrates professional and personal wins. It takes work and commitment to grow your culture, but with these tips, you will be well on your way to making every day a great day!
About the Author
Debbie Gabbard, MAADOM
In 1985, Debbie answered a help-wanted ad for a receptionist position at a dental office in Phoenix, AZ. Within just a few weeks, she realized that dentistry was her passion. Fast forward to 2024—thirty-nine years later—she is the Practice Manager of Toothologie, A Smile Studio, a thriving dental practice in Union, KY, supported by one of the best teams around.
Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to building successful practices and supporting doctors within the dental community. She has led four practices to be recognized as the top Dentist in the region and successfully guided two practice sales and doctor transitions.
Debbie has been a member of AADOM since 2015, earning her Fellowship in 2023 and her Mastership in 2024.
In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, spending weekends in Gatlinburg, and cherishing every moment with her grandchildren.
