Boosting staff morale for your eye care practice involves multiple facets, it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. The most important element is effective communication, as it plays a crucial role in directly contributing to your team’s mood. Here are some additional key components that can help boost the outlook in your office:
Staff Meetings
Regular all-staff meetings, ideally monthly at a minimum, allow staff to be heard by providing a platform to share information, gather feedback and discuss challenges anyone may be facing. While the topics may vary, use a consistent agenda structure for each meeting. Potential topics include:
- Business review, including KPI stats
- What to start, stop or continue
- Action items
- Celebrating wins
- Incentive updates
These meetings can also be a space to discuss new or changing services or workflows and talk through any potential roadblocks, discuss the details of specific practice areas to continue to improve the patient experience, or address operational challenges or training needs. Ensure minutes are taken, noting action items and responsibilities, and follow up between meetings or provide updates at future meetings.
Recognition
Recognizing team and individual efforts go a long way. Whether it's stepping up when a co-worker is out, helping a challenging patient or making extra sales, simple gestures can positively impact team spirit. Showing your appreciation by bringing in lunch or chocolates and simply going out of your way to say ‘thank you,’ pays huge dividends relative to the amount of time or money it takes to acknowledge a team member’s good work. Another good tactic is to make space during your staff meetings for employees to give shout-outs to other team members who they saw going above and beyond. Making recognition a ‘team sport’ in your office is sure to be contagious and will encourage everyone to perform at their highest.
Respect
Lead by example and set the expectation that all doctors, managers and staff consistently treat each other with respect — every day, all day. Personal challenges that anyone may have outside of work do not excuse negativity or disrespect — managing and preventing such behavior is crucial to maintaining morale.
Trust
Do your practice's core values resonate with your team? If not, have a dedicated staff meeting to discuss and align on these values. Create an environment where mistakes are learning opportunities. Cross-training and promoting from within helps your team build trust with you, while also creating career paths for them, ultimately, decreasing staff turnover and increasing practice efficiency.
Ask Your Staff
Regular one-on-one touch base conversations, ideally quarterly, can help identify ways to enhance the workplace. Use a consistent form and ask staff what they like about the practice, then discuss what they think should be improved. Address any issues, including feeling overworked, and find solutions together to avoid frequently losing and replacing staff.
An Added Benefit Gained….an Improved Culture!
All these elements contribute to a positive staff and office culture — in return, your practice will have a happier people with a better team mindset.
If you would like to discuss ideas on how you can improve or implement morale in your practice, reach out to PECAA’s Business Operations Advisor, Kathy Long. As a PECAA Max member, you can receive expert advice from PECAA’s Member Business Advisors at no additional cost! Not a PECAA Member? Contact us to learn how PECAA can help your practice thrive.
