Customer Service Starts With The Team
I often find there is a misconception about service; a belief that service starts with the patients and doesn’t pertain to the team.
In other words:
We must provide exceptional treatment to our patients, but not so much to each other.
It’s as if there is an entirely different set of standards for patients than there is for the team, about attitude, behavior, and communication: what I refer to as the “ABC Standards.”
No excuses
I have the privilege of working with dental teams nationwide to help them create a happier, healthier, and higher-performing service culture.
I witness some team members (including doctors and dental managers) treating other team members poorly. That same poor behavior towards a patient would be grounds for dismissal.
We make excuses for our bad behavior. We use labels and say “this is just how we are.”
For example:
“I am direct,” which means that I say whatever is on my mind without any regard of how I might make you feel. Or “I’m not a morning person,” which means others should understand my moodiness in the morning.
What confounds me is watching the same “direct” or “non-morning” person flip a switch and turn it on for their patients. It is like watching a Jekyll and Hyde transformation.
We believe it is acceptable to turn the respect and kindness filters off for each other. After all, we wouldn’t want to be fake, would we? We also know they will accept or put up with our poor behavior. We frequently even turn it off for the people we love the most, like our family.
I find it thought-provoking that we put filters of kindness and respect on for strangers and acquaintances, but don’t do the same for the people we care about and love the most. Something seems a little backward with this behavior.
Building a healthier, happier team
It’s time to put the filters back on and start service with the team. I teach the Golden Standard: treat each other as well or better than you treat your patients.
Note: that doesn’t mean lessening the standard for customer service!
Creating ABC Standards for how the staff treats each other will help cultivate a service culture that is happier, healthier, and higher performing!
ABC Standards increase clarity, unity, congruency, level of service, and your business reputation; while preventing the chafing and disagreements from assumptions and opinions of who is right and wrong.
Have a team meeting with the entire staff to discuss ABC Standards for your practice. Ask each team member to share what they need from each other to be able to work together better. I find that writing down the responses generates more participation.
Some examples might be:
Be Likable:
- Ask instead of tell
- Be courteous
- Say please and thank you
- Be nice
- Be friendly
- Be kind
- Be pleasant
- Be happy
- Smile and greet each other warmly
- Be optimistic
- Use positive words, tone, body language
- Be cheerful
Believe in Positive Intent:
- Give the benefit of the doubt
- Don’t assume negatives –ASK
Be Honest:
- Be specific
- Don’t generalize
- Don’t exaggerate
- Be considerate
Always ask yourself, “How can I be honest and say what I need to say while respecting how it might make the other person feel?”
Be Compassionate:
- Be understanding
- Be supportive
- Be sympathetic
Be Trustworthy:
- Do what you said, when & how you said
- Only promise what you can deliver
- Don’t gossip
Have an Ownership Mentality:
- Be self-motivated
- Be self-disciplined
- Do the right thing
- Own your mistakes
Be Patient, Practice, and Team Focused:
- Be helpful
- Ask before helping
- What do they want help with completing?
- How do they want it done?
- Delegate clearly and specifically
Be Respectful:
- Listen first
- Don’t insult or put others down
- Don’t judge & criticize
- Treat others how they want to be treated
- Address concerns only with the source
- Forgive each other
- No gossip
- Don’t spread gossip
- Don’t listen to gossip
Lead By Example:
- Model the waddle you want to see
- No double standards
- Be reliable
- Be consistent
- Be on time
- Be accountable
Be Appreciative:
- Thank others
- Be grateful and show gratitude BE FUN
- Laugh a little
- Be lighthearted
- Be good-humored
(If you would like to receive a copy of my ABCs Sample Standards, please email me at JudyKay@PracticeSolutionsInc.net and write ABCs Sample in the subject line.)
Start with the ABCs
Create a document titled “Team ABC’s Standards Document” with the team standards. Print it out, frame it, and put it on display where everyone can see it daily. A lunchroom or locker room often works well.
Your daily huddle is a great opportunity to create accountability. Hold a discussion daily about how each person did—as an individual and together as a team— supporting the standards. Where did they rock it and where can they raise it? The more often you discuss your standards, the more real and alive they become.
It is crucial that the ABC Standards are adhered to by the dental management team. Staff will look to leadership and mimic their behaviors. Never create something you are not comfortable supporting. Everything starts and stops with leadership.
It’s time to model the waddle to a happier, healthier, and higher performing team culture!
Meet the Author
Judy Kay Mausolf is a speaker, author, and dental culture specialist with expertise in helping others become happier and more successful! She coaches dentists and their teams on how to become better leaders, communicate well, and work together effectively, delivering service with more focus and passion. These changes result in the cultivation of a happier, healthier, and higher-performing culture.
She is Past President of National Speakers Association (Minnesota Chapter), Director of Sponsoring Partners for the Speaking Consulting Network, a member of the National Speakers Association and Academy of Dental Management Consultants, and recognized as a leader in consulting by Dentistry Today.
She is the author of two books “Ta-Dah!” and “Rise & Shine!” and a contributing author for many dental magazines. She also publishes a monthly newsletter entitled “Show Your Shine.”
Judy Kay lives in MN with her awesome husband Steve, who makes her special coffee every morning, and her Yorkie, Zoe.
