Owners often enter a meeting believing that they are the only ones capable of supplying all the enthusiasm, answers, ideas and inspiration. That creates a great deal of pressure on the owner, but it also unintentionally teaches staff to sit back and wait. The owner performs; the staff observe.
What if the owner walked into the meeting with curiosity instead?
Stop Trying to Inspire Your Staff. Let Them Inspire You.
The owner could present a real observation and say:
“I have been thinking about this situation, but I suspect some of you may see things that I don’t. What are you noticing, and what do you think we could do?”
That one change communicates something powerful: I value what you see. I do not assume I have every answer. Your ideas can influence this practice.
Staff members are sometimes much closer to the daily details than the owner. The receptionist hears the questions patients are reluctant to ask the doctor. The assistant notices where clinical time is being lost. The hygienist may recognize why patients are declining treatment. An employee who previously worked in another practice may have seen a system that worked exceptionally well.
Be Surprised and Impressed by the Team
There may also be abilities hiding in plain sight. Someone on the team may be excellent at photography, social media, organizing events, writing, teaching, technology or calming anxious people. The owner may never discover those talents if staff meetings consist primarily of instructions and corrections.
The owner could ask questions such as:
- What is one thing you would improve if you were running the practice for a day?
- What do our patients appreciate most about us?
- Where are we making work harder than it needs to be?
- What ability do you have that we may not be using?
- What have you seen another business do that impressed you?
- If you had $1,000 to improve the practice, how would you spend it?
- What is one idea that sounds a little unusual but might actually work?
Of course, not every idea will be practical, and inviting suggestions does not mean the staff will make the final decisions. The owner still has responsibility for the practice. However, every suggestion should be heard respectfully. If employees are quickly corrected, or told why their ideas will never work, they will soon stop contributing.
A great leader does not always need to be the most inspirational person in the room. Sometimes great leadership means creating the opportunity for other people to surprise, energize and inspire you.
