This month we are offering a 3-part series on Team Building and culture in your practice. – This is the second article in the series of three.
The success of any dental practice relies heavily on its team, and engaged teams are built on clear expectations and shared accountability. Without a solid foundation, practices may struggle with misaligned goals, lack of motivation, and disengagement.
The new year provides a prime opportunity to establish or reset these expectations, creating an environment where every team member knows their role, understands the bigger picture, and feels empowered to contribute.
If your practice has faced challenges with engagement, now is the time to redefine expectations, prioritize accountability, and set the tone for a productive and collaborative year ahead.
Strategies for Setting Expectations
Let’s look at three strategies to help propel your practice into the new year with sustained momentum.
Clearly Define Roles and Responsibilities
Ambiguity is one of the leading causes of workplace frustration. Without clarity, team members may feel uncertain about their duties or overburdened by tasks outside their scope.
To eliminate this confusion, take time to clearly define each team member’s role, responsibilities, and daily expectations. Document these details in a way that’s easy to reference, whether through an employee handbook, job description, or workflow chart.
When every team member understands their role and how it contributes to the practice’s overall success, they can approach their work with confidence and purpose.
Communicate the “Why” Behind Expectations
It’s not enough to simply tell team members what to do. Explaining the “why” behind expectations is just as important.
When employees understand how their work impacts the practice’s goals, patient satisfaction, or team dynamics, they are more likely to feel invested.
For example, connecting tasks like streamlining patient intake to improving patient experience gives team members a sense of purpose.
A culture of understanding and alignment fosters motivation and reinforces the importance of individual contributions.
Implement Accountability Measures
Accountability is essential for maintaining engagement and ensuring expectations are met. However, accountability doesn’t have to feel punitive. Make it a positive force by pairing it with regular feedback and recognition.
Set measurable goals for each team member, whether related to production, efficiency, or patient care, and provide tools to track progress. Schedule regular one-on-one check-ins to discuss achievements, address challenges, and offer support.
When accountability is consistent and constructive, it drives team members to perform at their best.
The Role of Leadership in Building Engagement
Setting expectations and accountability starts with strong leadership. Leaders must model the behaviors they expect from their teams, from punctuality and professionalism to clear communication and a willingness to adapt.
In demonstrating commitment to the same standards set for the team, leaders create a culture of trust and mutual respect.
Leadership also involves fostering an open-door policy, where team members feel comfortable sharing feedback or seeking clarification.
Engaged teams thrive in environments where their voices are heard, and leaders actively respond to their needs.
Clear expectations and accountability are the cornerstones of an engaged and motivated team. Team engagement begins with leadership.
When leaders take the time to build trust, communicate effectively, and recognize achievements, the entire team benefits, and so does the practice.
Stick around, in January, I will be breaking down leadership on a whole new level.
