Let's Talk About Power

 

Last post we discussed three different types of power, utility, legitimate and coercive. Now we are going to look at the characteristics of each type of power.

The first one is coercive power. This power holds something over a person’s head and people do things because they are afraid of you. For example, an employee comes into work early. On the outside this looks really good but while they are at work they are nervous, anxious and are fearful that you will punish them in some way.

Individuals under this type of power do not work well for long periods of time. They will burn out or quit because they are not happy in their position. Your mission maybe compromised and moving your dental practice forward maybe impossible. When you ask for ideas on how to streamline the front desk, instead of innovative and creative thinkers you get silence. This type of power can cripple your business and create an unhappy environment for patient care.

The second type of power is utility power. People who work in this type of power gain some financial or ego boost.  This power is not as bad as the first however, it also misses the mark of a shared vision with a strong team. Your workers may follow and they may step up a little because they can’t wait for that monthly bonus. But they do not go above and beyond if it is needed.

Corporate offices use this type of power to get the job the done. However, in your line of work this is not the type of business where you can just do the minimal.

It is critical in dentistry you don’t abuse the position given to you as boss. You need to build a relationship with shared power or control. When you have this type of relationship with your front office, they will ask patients for a review and their payment up front. Your RDA, will talk to patients as people and not just an extra paycheck.

Not only will your business grow but the relationship you have with your staff and patients will also increase because the word team will not be a word just thrown around, it will be the basis for the future of your business. 

 Great teams take effort. Take time to work on your practice regularly to build quality communication and strengthen your results. For more information and to read other articles, please visit us at www.saltdpm.com.

What type of power do you have?

Power

What comes to mind when you hear that word? Do you envision you standing on the top of a mountain your team around you cheering you on? Or is it a shared comradery of success? While you tell the team member next to you great job.  Or do you pay each member twenty dollars for joining you on a Sunday hike?

When you are working with teams of people you are automatically given certain control in the situation. You control their paychecks, raises, how they do their job and how others view them. This is an important role but also one that shouldn’t be taken lightly.  You can change the future of someone for good or bad. You can help them achieve their dreams or you can crush what they have worked their whole life for. This power should be used correctly and carefully.

Each type of power has a different purpose and will affect your team differently. The three types of power according to Stephen Covey (1990) are coercive power, utility power or legitimate power.

Coercive power is controlling and forces people to do things under duress. When you are this type of leader people don’t necessarily respect you or do things to help you out because they want to but because they are afraid of what you hold over their head. This type of leader does not instill trust nor does it build respect among teammates. For your dental business it could jeopardize the relationship with your patients.

Utility power is power that makes promises. It is a guarantee of a paycheck, or some reward. In the dental office, your team may step up with patients to gain a bonus or because in the end they are earning a paycheck.  This power is not necessarily bad however, in the end legitimate power is the power you want to move your team forward, because utility power only works if you have something to offer.

Legitimate power is true trust that you have earned.  This offers team support for a shared purpose. Individuals in your organization will step up because it is an effort that will best support the goals. It is a shared mission and vision along with a deeply routed trust for you as their leader.

 Great teams take effort. Take time to work on your practice regularly to build quality communication and strengthen your results. For more information and to read other articles, please visit us at www.saltdpm.com.

Make your Morals Known

Great teams take effort. Take time to work on your practice regularly to build quality communication and strengthen your results. For more information and to read other articles, please visit us at www.saltdpm.com.

High Morals high Standards

 Your morals should be reflected in everything you do.  Your staff, patients and business associates should be able to identify the truths you hold closest to you. They should be evident when you wake up in the morning and as you go about your day.

However, you need to also have the highest  moral leadership standards. "Your character is always on display." (Leadership Every Day, Pg. 9) 

It is important that no matter what decisions you are making that you do not lose your high belief systems. If patient care is what you uphold then everything you do in your office should reflect high patient care.

If you are open and honest and caring then as you talk and work with your staff they should know this about you and be able to identify if. Our morals are the beliefs that we hold closest to us and they are what we want others to see.

Build relationships with other individuals who have the same belief systems you do. This will help you if you come up against a troubled situation. In times of question dig deep down and go back to your truths.

Great teams take effort. Take time to work on your practice regularly to build quality communication and strengthen your results. For more information and to read other articles, please visit us at www.saltdpm.com.

The Choices You Make

Every choice you make throughout the day has an impact on your business. No matter how small the choice seems or how little you think it will impact you, it does. According to, Leading Every Day, "one of the key characteristics of leaders is that they consciously make all kinds of choices." It is important in the decisions you make as a leader that you make a decision and then move forward but also that you think through the decisions you make.

Make decisions that are going to move your group towards the goal. Don't waste time doing the wrong thing. It is important however, that the mission of your dentist office is clear and concise. Make sure your teammates know what the mission is in order for them to understand the decisions you are making.  You also, need to come back to the mission often.

Leadership deviation occurs when the mission becomes unclear or when people forget about the mission. Leadership choices have to be made to support the purpose and goal of your organization. Choices should also be made that move your office forward. Sometimes we have to complete tasks that we don’t want to or that hold us back. However, a majority of your choices and decisions and activities should align with what you are trying to accomplish.

Questions, problems and activities jump out at you all day long. It is important to establish steps that you are going to take in order to follow through with an appropriate choice to reach your goal. Keep this in mind and if you don’t have time, don’t make the decision right away.

Great teams take effort. Take time to work on your practice regularly to build quality communication and strengthen your results. For more information and to read other articles, please visit us at www.saltdpm.com.

Don't loose the nugget

A nugget is small and may seem inconsequential. You think that a thousand more nuggets may come walking in. However, if you stop and count all of the nuggets your office is missing you will realize that they are beginning to add up. Each nugget is a missed opportunity, a loss your office may not be able to afford. 

A golden nugget is the ticket that enhances or helps your business and your team.  It is asking for a referral or speaking about the patient needs in front of the patient. Or taking the time to go thoroughly through the bill with a patient and ask for their portion up front. It is keeping your office neat and organized and asking the patient how their day was.

Every nugget in your office counts and therefore, it is important your team takes advantage of every prospect that comes your way. Last year, I had a dentist. This year I have a different dentist. The reason is because my dentist and their staff missed their chance to build a strong relationship with me. I didn't feel valued as a patient and therefore, I felt no need to give them my money or my business. When I came in the office, they didn't ask how I was doing or if I had any concerns. While in the chair they talked to the doctor about my teeth but not me and when I left they never set up my next appointment or asked me how their service was. 

Take advantage of the face-to-fact time you have with your patients.  Dentistry has multiple chances to connect with patients throughout the visit and it is important that your team utilizes every opportunity they get. 

Enhance the nuggets in your office by taking a step back and analyzing where your team is dropping the ball. Where do they miss an opportunity or where do they let patient care slide? Start there and work your way up because your business depends on it.

Great teams take effort. Take time to work on your practice regularly to build quality communication and strengthen your results. For more information and to read other articles, please visit us at www.saltdpm.com.

  

Leaders don't just Lead

Leaders don't just Lead, they teach others how to also lead. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, these strengths can be used to the benefit of the office in a variety of capacities. For example, if an individual in your office is great at social media, help foster this learning and growth to help in this area in your office.

While, another individual might have greater ideas on how to streamline a process. I'm not saying make everyone a boss in your office, but help foster leadership. Just because you are the individual in charge doesn't mean you have to be the only one that leads on every new project, idea or area in your office. You want to help build the confidence in others around you.

Anyone can be a boss. People can walk around and demand items from those who work for them. For example, they can demand that reports be printed on time, or demand promptness. However, if you want others to step up and take initiative then you must help support their learning and employees desires to become leaders as well.

Great teams take effort. Take time to work on your practice regularly to build quality communication and strengthen your results. For more information and to read other articles, please visit us at www.saltdpm.com.