Strengths-Based Team Building: The Secret to a Thriving Dental Office
We have all been there. You walk into the office thinking it will be a smooth day as normal. Next thing you know, Brittney is mad at the way Stacey put away the instruments, and Nick has told Rachel 100 times how to set up the treatment room for an implant.
As office managers, I know we can all think of a time when communication and teamwork in the practice have turned what we thought would be a smooth day into a stressful one. We all know that a dental office is more than just drills and dental chairs. It is a team working together under pressure to provide exceptional patient care. No matter what type of day we have at the office, whether it’s a busy Monday morning with back-to-back appointments or a quiet afternoon managing schedule changes, the quality of the team determines each patient’s experience.
So, how do you build a team that truly works together, where each member feels valued and empowered to take excellent care of each patient that comes through the practice?
That is where Clifton Strengths philosophy comes into play. This science-backed tool goes beyond resumes and roles; it truly helps uncover and understand what each person naturally does best. Clifton Strengths transformed how our dental team communicated, collaborated, and thrived together. All by opening our eyes to understand where we naturally and individually thrive!
What Are Clifton Strengths?
Clifton Strengths, developed by a psychologist and researcher, Donald Clifton, explores our natural-born talents. His central idea was to focus on identifying and developing people’s natural talents rather than fixing their weaknesses. This laid the foundation for the Clifton Strengths philosophy. It is widely used in personal development, education, and leadership.
This assessment tool helps individuals identify their top talents across thirty-four themes. These themes fall into four categories:
- Executing– Turning thoughts into actions. (e.g., Achiever, Discipline)
- Influencing– Taking charge and inspiring others. (e.g., Activator, Self Assurance)
- Relationship Building– Connecting with others. (e.g., Positivity, Empathy)
- Strategic Thinking– Analyzing and planning (e.g., Analytical, Intellection)
Rather than focusing on weaknesses, Clifton Strengths empowers individuals to focus on their strengths and where they do their best. This encourages teams to develop their natural talents into strengths.
Why Clifton Strengths in the Dental Office?
Dental offices are often small, high-pressure, and busy environments where interpersonal dynamics can make or break the day. Here is how a strengths-based approach benefits your team:
- Better Communication– Understanding each other’s working styles can help prevent miscommunication and frustration.
- Increased Engagement– The team starts to acknowledge not only their individual strengths but also how those strengths fit with their teammates’. The team will begin to feel more seen, valued, and motivated.
- Improved Patient Care– A team that works well together and is harmonious and confident leads to better experiences for patients.
- Reduced Conflict– Conflicts in the workplace often arise from misunderstandings. Understanding each other’s strengths builds empathy between the team.
- Retention and Growth– If you invest in your team’s development, it creates loyalty and can help open the door to internal growth.
How to Implement Clifton Strengths in a Dental Setting
Here is a step-by-step approach to integrating Clifton Strengths into your practice:
1. Leadership Buy-In
The owner or doctor should lead the way. When leadership models strength-based development, others will follow.
2. Take the Assessment
Have each team member take the Strengths assessment. You can choose to simplify the strengths test by doing the top five, or you can unlock the power of all thirty-four strengths for each team member, in which case you can do a deep dive into the Clifton Strengths.
3. Host a Team Workshop
Bring in a coach to assist. I recommend Jamie Marboe, owner and founder of Marboe Consulting. Jamie helps transform teams by assisting them in speaking the same language. Not only encouraging individual growth, but also team growth. She provides personalized training solutions and builds high-performing teams by equipping them with the resources to drive instant and lasting transformation.
Jamie introduced our team to Clifton Strengths, and we cannot thank her enough for empowering us with this endlessly helpful tool.
A coach can better facilitate a guided decision internally. In this workshop, it is imperative to share individual strengths and explore how they play out during the workday.
4. Create Visibility for Your Team
Post a strengths chart in the breakroom, or digitally so the team can view it frequently. Knowing who has high responsibility or harmony helps during high-stress moments, and utilizes the team member’s strengths by empowering them in situations that play to these strengths.
5. Integrate Clifton Strengths into Daily Operations
Discuss strengths in team meetings, performance reviews, and even when looking into yesterday’s tough moments. Who was best equipped to oversee a situation that did not work well?
By playing to your team’s strengths and discussing where they could have handled an incident better or guided it in the right direction, we can have a better plan next time if history repeats itself.
Real World Applications in the Dental Office
Let us look at how different strengths shine in various roles:
- Front Desk team– Strengths like empathy, harmony, and adaptability help front office staff respond calmly in situations where patients may be upset or confused, as well as handling last-minute schedule changes.
- Dental Assistants– Someone high in responsibility, consistency will thrive in assisting because they are dependable and meticulous during restorative procedures.
- Dentists and Practice Owners– A leader who is high in themes like Strategic or Analytical helps dentists envision the growth of the practice, improve clinical systems, and make sound decisions that benefit the practice, team, and its patients.
- Office Managers or Team Leads– People with themes like Communication or Developer can energize a team, facilitate growth, and boost morale and optimism in the office.
DO’s and DON’T’s of Clifton Strengths
Do: Keep the conversation going.
Do not: Stop at the workshop. Refer to the strengths in meetings and conflict resolution.
Do not: Use Strengths as labels. Strength is not an excuse. (e.g., “I have Command, so I’m just blunt.”)
Do: Celebrate diversity. All strengths are valuable. There is not one that is better than another.
Do not: Avoid one-time use. The power of Clifton Strengths comes from using this tool as a part of regular reflection and practice.
Take the Leap to Better Your Team
Your dental office’s success is not based solely on clinical skills. It is about the people behind masks and computer screens. Clifton Strengths gives team members the tools to celebrate individual successes, to understand one another better, play into our strengths, and work as a more connected, resilient unit.
Consider having your entire team complete the Clifton Strengths assessment and host a lunch-and-learn to explore the results together. If needed, work with a coach to guide your office through your strengths development journey. You will not regret it. Whether leading a small team or managing a multi-location practice, investing in a Strengths-Based Culture can transform not only your team but also your entire patient experience!
About the Author
Lauren Roan, FAADOM
Raised in a small Montana town, I’m a mom and a maker at heart. After earning a degree in welding and fabrication, I unexpectedly took my first job in the dental world as an assistant with no experience and discovered a passion I never saw coming.
Today, I continue to search for any education that can help me strive in Dental Management, and combine hands-on skill with patient-centered care.
