 | | Linda Miles |
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Power Thought: Miles Global
Happy employees are productive. And if an employee becomes dis-enchanted for whatever reason, they become less productive and negatively impact the office morale. Unfortunately, out of fear, loyalty to the practice/patients or whatever, some of these people stay. In the dental practice, this person can be a very valued employee who simply does not feel appreciated, or perhaps other team members resent this person for going the extra mile when they have chosen to do just enough to get by. The office environment may not be conducive to job satisfaction with ideas being shot down or frowned upon by a micro-managing boss. Perhaps, the practice is very fast paced and the employee prefers a more relaxed work place. There can be dozens of reasons for burnout. The underlying message of the sign in our corporate office was that an employee could work at LLM&A as long as the company and their position in it made them happy. The minute they felt burned out or disenchanted we gave them every Tuesday morning for three weeks off (with pay) to find a job that would make them happier....But before granting that favor, we met with the employee that felt like leaving to see if it could be resolved to everyone's satisfaction. Professional burnout is a serious and more common problem in dentistry than we would like to admit. Management consultants deal with it frequently. We are hired to fix weak verbal/communication skills, faulty management systems such as AR management, insurance, scheduling, overhead control and hygiene department numbers. What we must do however BEFORE the systems can be improved is work on the interoffice morale and leadership problems. If those obstacles are not overcome first then no amount of scripting, standard operating procedural manuals, or system efficiency changes will last. I recently had the privilege of corresponding with a dental team member who shared with me her innermost thoughts about this very subject. Together we decided it would be a good idea to jointly write this article, using her story as the basis for our message. Job security is not a given, it's a privilege. Becoming complacent, irritated, and resistant to change or the office "leader of dissention" is not a trait any employer deserves to have to deal with, yet many dentists face this challenge on a daily basis. Being the employee who does not feel appreciated, with a dentist who assumes no responsibility for addressing small issues between team members before they mushroom, can become debilitating to say the least. Professional burnout can sneak up on the most valuable and longest hired team member as well as be a problem for those with less tenure on the job. Following is that dental employee's story and how it left her feeling after resigning a position she held for nearly ten years. "Being in Dentistry for about twenty-five years, first as a dental assistant, then for the past eighteen years as a dental hygienist, I have had, for the most part, pleasant work experiences. I have had the privilege of working in small and large quality offices, and I have learned a lot about the ups and downs of working with many different personalities. Being happy at work is ultimately determined by the quality of relationships that one develops with patients, staff, and colleagues. Getting along with co-workers, as well as employers, especially in a large office is a challenge, and sometimes, due to lack of communication skills, misunderstandings, or unresolved conflicts, the only answer is to find another position that better suits your needs. Having had the experience recently of leaving an office that I had been in for nine and a half years due to the reasons mentioned above, plus a few more, I am now keenly aware of how important it is to recognize when it is time to go. Fear of change can make you sit in your rut for too long, and the damaging affects can take their toll. The constant negativity causes stress that affects your health, well-being and confidence, and it is not worth it. I was in a job situation where I had some great benefits. I think my employer would have said that I had great clinical skills, got along well with my patients, was loyal, dependable, trustworthy, and I was also a high producer. But the frequent small conflicts between staff members were taking its toll on everyone. I felt unappreciated and lacked support from my employer in trying to work things out. I was not looking forward to going to work anymore and I needed a change. Leaving, though it was painful, was the best decision I have ever made. As difficult as this was, my office was gracious enough to give me a "good bye" luncheon with a card and gift. It was very important for me to leave on a positive note and I feel I succeeded. When I finally left that environment, I felt like the weight of the world fell off my shoulders. My only regret is that I wish I had done it sooner. "I now have a new job in a smaller office. I don't have all the benefits that I once had, but the doctor and staff has been wonderful to work for. Feeling respected and appreciated is worth its weight in gold. I also have learned that I need to make an effort to show my appreciation to them as well. I know conflicts in the workplace are unavoidable, but when they can be addressed early, the damage is minimized. Unresolved conflicts infect relationships to the point that they sap energy and take your joy away. If you find that you are not happy, and there seems to be no solution to improving the situation, then it is time to think about moving on to something that you will enjoy doing, even though there may be some sacrifices to make. Staying positive and believing in yourself will get you through this. It will be worth it in the end." Note: If you see yourself (dentists or team members) in this article, it is time for an evaluation of what is and is not working for you personally and professionally. And remember, "When one door closes, two more usually open". More About Miles Global... |
