Patients have more choice than ever. They want excellent dental care and impeccable customer service from the minute they step inside the surgery. For a practice to survive, it must be well-run, with a clear vision that an inspired team works together to achieve.
A great practice therefore needs great leadership. There are different ways you can lead people and even if you don’t think these skills come naturally to you, there are simple ways to develop them.
Decide what style of leadership is best in your circumstances. It is just as important that a small-to-medium sized practice is as properly run as a larger one, because losing a patient or employee will have a more noticeable impact on revenue. You won’t achieve anything without a plan and having shared vision, which is decided on and supported by everyone, is the first step to becoming a good leader. Recognise that your plans may change as your circumstances do, but be consistent in your long-term goals, so your integrity is not questioned.
A good leader will reward the contributions and achievements of the team that supports them; if you can’t do this financially, then share details of good work so people feel valued and appreciated. Real investment in the people that work with you – both professionally and personally - will create a happy, enthusiastic team and reduce staff turnover too.
Recruitment decisions that will enrich your practice and complement the team that you already have in post are crucial to your success. The support of your team will help you to make good decisions, including which tasks to delegate. Because you can’t do everything, especially with a full clinical schedule, empower those around you by giving them to the chance to learn and grow. Offer ongoing training and professional development opportunities for those who have voiced their desire to take on more responsibility and evolve their job description.
Think about enriching your team and growing your own talent with the new Trailblazers apprenticeship schemes. These programmes are supported by the government but lead by employers, including Mustafa Mohammed, Managing Director of Genix Healthcare and Sparkle Dental Labs, who is dedicated to improving standards and increasing the skills base of the nation. Currently, there are apprentice schemes available for dental practice managers and dental nurses and training individuals in this way has been found to be rewarding and cost-effective.[i] Taking on an apprentice is a fantastic way to tap into aptitude and potential and to create a committed, accomplished and loyal workforce.
Although there are different ways to lead, the ability to motivate, inspire and transform are qualities that every good leader needs. Most importantly, having a vision, the integrity to stick with your long-term plan and a team that will help you to fulfill it, is what will set your practice apart from the rest.
Follow Mustafa on Twitter @Mustafa_T_M or Facebook www.facebook.com/MustafaMohammed0
For additional information from the National Apprenticeship Service, please visit www.apprenticeship.org.uk.
For any additional information please call 0800 138 6255 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit: www.sparkledentallabs.com
[i] UK Commission’s Employer Skills Survey (UKCESS) 2012.
