Spring Clean Your Team Culture: 5 Tips to Avoid Burnout
Spring brings hope and renewal for many of us and provides opportunities for change. At a time when dentistry is both rewarding and challenging, spring can also afford us time to reevaluate systems and concepts to benefit our team. Here are five tips to help you avoid burnout, increase your team’s morale, and build a better culture.
Tip 1: Develop an Open Communication Policy
Meet with your team and speak with each member to find out what works for them and what may be a challenge. Are they working together as a team, or are there situations that must be discussed? We may not always want to hear what is being said to us; however, we may learn a lot about our team and ourselves if we are open-minded and listen.
If you have team leaders, are they feeling motivated and energized, or are they feeling defeated? Depending on the size of the office, a shared leadership concept may be more practical and reduce the pressure on your leaders. Do you have team members who are trusted and responsible and who could share responsibility for tasks and procedures? Does your team know that they can ask for assistance? Are they comfortable meeting with you to ask for help or to discuss concerns?
Tip 2: Recognize Achievements and Success
Recognizing the achievements of team members and their families does not have to be expensive, nor does it always have to be centered on their employment in your office. Invest in some note cards and greeting cards: Positive reinforcement for a job well done can be as simple as a thank you card.
Sometimes, the person who least exhibits the desire for acknowledgment is also the person who may benefit the most from your praise. Congratulate your team member and a family member for a special occasion—graduations, weddings, births, etc. Showing your team members that you are invested in them may encourage more dialogue between you and may alleviate additional stress for them. One of our Susquehanna Valley Dental Connection members celebrates her team throughout the year by following social media calendars to celebrate special days of the month (Google Daily Celebrations 2024 for ideas and suggestions).
Tip 3: Foster a Sense of Community
Does your team engage in activities outside the office? Do you have social gatherings for fun? Does your team work together in a volunteer capacity in your town?
We have recognized in our office that we sometimes need to create a social situation for our team to diffuse tension or burnout from a rough week. It does not always mean we are leaving the office—sometimes, it is as simple as having food delivered and a longer lunch. Depending on my available budget, having food delivered may be ordering hoagie sandwiches and having all the toppings on the side so everyone can create their perfect hoagie. It may be a crockpot of soup and a salad bar. Your choices will depend on your team and their preferences, but it does not have to be fancy and expensive. Collaborate with your team for ideas and suggestions on what would motivate them in a social setting or a volunteer capacity.
Tip 4: Create a Commitment to Learning
Let’s face it: not everyone on your team is interested in further education. They may view it as tedious and unnecessary; however, some team members want to learn. They want to be better in their position and be better as people. For those who are interested, do you have a plan in place to enable them to learn? Do you encourage their interest and facilitate their involvement? It does not have to be expensive (Google “free online dental courses”), and it does not have to take time from direct patient care.
As much as we try not to have it happen, there are days that there may be a cancellation (or two…or more). After a stressful week, someone on the team may be interested in viewing an educational piece, and it would be beneficial if the team understood the importance of continuing education. It can increase morale and show your team that you are personally and professionally invested in them.
Tip 5: Be Intentional with Every Day/Be Present
This is the most important tip that I can share with you. It is so easy for us as leaders to experience many diversions (mini catastrophes, drama, etc.) during the day that we may miss the more minor, critical occurrences. Those smaller, more important occurrences may be mini triumphs for a team member or the doctor and an excellent opportunity for recognition.
Be engaged—be available for your team (and no, I do not mean every second of the day). I am saying to be alert and aware of what is happening in the office. Be in tune with cohesiveness and division. Be Present—be the morale booster for your doctor and your team.
Burnout and its detrimental effects on mental health are very valid concerns that all of us are facing daily. We have come through the pandemic, are facing shortages in hiring talented team members, have exponentially increased expenses, and have doctors who are stressed and exhausted. Facilitating even small morale boosters can positively impact retaining your team and may empower them to be more productive and insightful collaborators. Team players who work together positively and cohesively will, in turn, foster a positive environment for us and our doctors.
About the Author
Sheri McVaugh, FAADOM
Sheri McVaugh, FAADOM, graduated from Goldey Beacom College and has been involved in dental for several years. She is the founder and chapter president of Susquehanna Valley Dental Connection, as well as a member of the board of directors of Aevidum (empowers youth to shatter the silence surrounding depression, suicide, and other mental health issues). She is on track to achieve her MAADOM in 2024. Spending time with family is her greatest joy.
