The task of managing staff can make you want to sell your practice.
After spending a busy day in the exam room, you’re frustrated to learn a staff member has been spreading gossip throughout the office. Upon opening your email, you see one of your morning patients replied negatively on a post-exam survey.
When you find your ship sinking, reach for these three ways to build staff morale. Or better yet, don’t wait for trouble but proactively incorporate these suggestions to foster a positive work environment.
- Plan a staff activity – So you’re a tightwad–loosen up a little and spend some money above and beyond on your staff. The number one reason staff members leave their jobs is not money, but a lack of appreciation from their employers. Show your staff you care and take them out for a fun activity. It could be as simple as dinner and a movie.
- Take a staff trip – Two doctors and three staff from our office recently took a road trip to a city five hours away. The purpose was to observe another optometry office and their systems as we prepare to switch to a new software system. The added benefit was the chance for us doctors to interact with staff in an informal setting. Building staff morale with key players on your team is an investment that will reap many benefits.
- Attend regional staff training – As you’ve advanced in your optometry career, you’ve most likely visited numerous places throughout the country, both for business and for pleasure. Your staff probably has not had the same opportunities. Consider taking your staff to a regional continuing education meeting. Staff members will not only advance their knowledge in the field of optometry, but they will spend time with you and each other. Getting to know staff members outside of the office, and giving them a chance to interact with you and each other in a different setting can be beneficial and go a long ways in rebuilding broken morale.
When your staff is creating a negative environment at the office, patients suffer. Sometimes removing the staff from the negative environment and creating a positive experience can be the catalyst to rebuilding staff morale.
