What is Your “Role” in Your Practice?
William
Shakespeare was an entrepreneur whose income was earned from writing and
producing plays in his theatre.
Certainly, he did not get rich like Tom Hanks or Steven Spielberg, but
many of the things he wrote have become well-known apothegms (adages) in our
time. It is astounding how often people
confuse Shakespearen quotes with quotes from the Bible.
One of most
famous of Shakespeare's lines is spoken by Jacques, the grouch in As You
Like It, who remarks that “All the world's a stage, and all the men and
women are merely players;”. Though I
think Shakespeare speaking through Jacques had something different in mind, it
is true that we all play a specific role in each area (play) of our lives.
Some dentists do not know what
their role is in their own practices while, in reality, they have two. First, the dentist is the doctor with total
clinical responsibility. This is a major
role, and it would be great if it were the only role for the dentist. But it is not. There is another vital role, the practice
owner, and this is where more dentists are confused. Are they the supervisor, manager, boss,
leader, or all in one?
Let's get realistic. People cannot be managed. They must manage themselves. So, the dentist is not a Manager. Also, outside the treatment area the dentist
is not present to supervise. Because a
Supervisor must be present to supervise, the dentist is not a Supervisor of the
business. Certainly, the owner who
hires, fires, and signs payroll checks is the boss, but what is that role
exactly? In all the most productive
offices, the owner/dentist is a leader.
So, that is the real second role of the dentist.
There are two approaches to
leadership, but there is only one approach that succeeds in the long term. Unfortunately, that approach is
hardest...like everything else in life.
You can lead either because you have power over those whom you employee,
or you can lead by having established authority over those whom you
employ. There is a not so subtle
difference that must be understood.
Power can be gained merely by exercising it at the time of hiring, but
authority is earned in many ways over time.
We have all known, seen, worked
for, or been the type of leader who finally resorts to some version of “Do it
because I said so...or else!” This works
as long as the employee has no other option for employment. If you want to lead in this manner, you will
have high turnover, high salary costs, and lower than average success. This is what I call the Slaveholder style of
leadership which works only as long as employee has no real option to
leave. People who are forced to work due
to their inferior position in an organization will work just well enough to
keep from being fired. You would be
amazed how many dentists use this inferior method of leadership.
To get the best results from a
staff, and to more nearly maximize the potential of your dental practice, you
need to lead your staff due to the authority you have earned. This is a process that takes time,
dedication, and concentration, but it is possible for any dentist if he/she is
willing to put forth the effort to become a great leader.
I will be covering this subject
in more detail over the next few weeks.
If you know someone who needs this lesson either forward the emails or
ask him/her to subscribe. There are also
books I will be recommending and exercises I will be suggesting. I have been working on this for some time, so
I hope it will be of value.
If your practice is just not
where it should be financially or is not running harmoniously, let me know, and I will see if I can
suggest some resources, actions, or methods.
Have a great week,
Hurston
Professionally Managed Practices, Inc.
wisedentist@gmail.com
