Reviving Team Engagement: How Rotating Leadership and Structured Agendas Boost Productivity in Dental Practices
Effective communication and collaboration among team members are essential for success in any workplace.
As a practice manager, I experienced firsthand the challenges of maintaining team engagement during meetings. Many times, team members seemed disengaged or uninterested, leading to unproductive discussions and missed opportunities for improvement.
Recognizing the importance of cultivating a collaborative environment, I implemented a new approach: rotating leadership and a structured meeting agenda.
Alternating Roles
The first step was to create a rotation sheet that assigned each team member a specific role in leading the meetings. This included tasks such as note-taking, timekeeping, and facilitating discussions.
By rotating these responsibilities, every team member could take ownership of the meeting and contribute to its success.
This empowered individuals and instilled a sense of accountability and shared responsibility within the team.
Enhanced Engagement
To further enhance engagement, we designed a whiteboard with various sections visually representing our goals, inspirations, and celebrations. This included setting monthly, quarterly, and yearly goals and recognizing achievements such as favorable reviews, birthdays, and overcoming challenges.
Additionally, we included:
- Sections for brainstorming ways to improve.
- Identifying issues that needed solutions.
- Outlining actionable items that required immediate attention within the office.
Agenda Design
Each team member was tasked with designing the meeting agenda based on the topics displayed on the whiteboard. This approach not only encouraged ownership and creativity but also ensured that the discussions were tailored to address specific needs and concerns within the team.
By actively involving team members in the agenda-setting process, we created a platform for their voices to be heard, making the meetings more relevant, engaging, and focused on actionable outcomes.
Experiencing the Benefits
Changing our approach has improved team engagement during meetings and nurtured a culture of continuous improvement outside of them. By encouraging team members to take ownership of meeting agendas and address issues proactively, we have seen a ripple effect in our day-to-day operations. Team members are more willing to voice their concerns and ideas, leading to increased innovation and efficiency in our practice.
Moreover, the rotation of leadership roles has not just distributed responsibilities but also provided valuable opportunities for professional development and growth among team members as they embrace new challenges and expand their skill sets.
Overall, this approach to team meetings has had a transformative impact on our practice, driving collaboration, creativity, and success.
Since implementing this method, we have significantly improved team engagement during meetings. Team members are more actively involved in discussions, sharing ideas, and offering solutions to challenges. The structured agenda and rotating leadership roles have helped to keep meetings organized and productive, maximizing our time together as a team.
However, the most impactful element has been the visual representation of our goals, inspirations, and accomplishments on the whiteboard. This constant reminder of our shared vision has created a sense of unity and motivation within the team as we work together towards common objectives.
Celebrating achievements and milestones, no matter how small has boosted morale and strengthened our team bonds.
Don’t Overlook the Importance of Team Meetings
The importance of team meetings in cultivating a collaborative and productive work environment cannot be overstated. By implementing a rotating leadership approach and structured agenda, we have been able to invigorate team engagement and drive meaningful discussions.
Empowering team members to take ownership of meetings and contribute to their success has fostered a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement within our practice. As a result, we are better equipped to overcome challenges, achieve our goals, and deliver exceptional care to our patients.
About the Author
Patricia Calhoun, MAADOM
Patricia (Trish) has over 20 years of dental experience as a dental assistant, RDH, and Practice Administrator.
She is a lifetime member of AADOM, was inducted as a Fellow in 2023, and received her AADOM Mastership in 2024.
She is the president of the NW Florida Dental Connection.
