Walking into a new job as a practice manager is an exciting experience, yet daunting when you don\u2019t know the hospital culture. Even a skilled manager in place for years faces daily challenges. For both, securing the team\u2019s trust, communicating superbly and possessing change management skills are essential to ensuring positive outcomes and staff retention. Here are tips and tricks to achieve team buy-in and engaged, proactive employees.<\/p>\n
Trust goes a long way, but a practice manager must develop it with every team member, including veterinarians. With trust comes respect, both of which are earned over time. Try these nine approaches:<\/p>\n
1. ONE-ON-ONE CHECK-INS AND COACHING SESSIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n Check-ins should be informal and feel like a natural conversation. \u201cHey, how are you doing today? You seem a little under the weather,\u201d or \u201cShare with me the things that make it hard for you to do your job.\u201d Never divulge the responses to another team member.<\/p>\n Coaching sessions might be more formal and seek to address bad or potentially troubling behavior. (Don\u2019t deal with a supposed event weeks later.) Seek to understand what caused the behavior, discuss its impact on others and develop a mutual solution. Behavior(s) that must be addressed again requires more formality and documentation.<\/p>\n 2. STRIVE TO UNDERSTAND<\/strong><\/p>\n Everyone has ideas, perceptions and goals, which a practice manager should seek to understand to gain trust and respect. Find out what gets each team member excited and lean on the person\u2019s strengths to stimulate learning and growth.<\/p>\n