A message from Terry: Imagine a busy day when you conscientiously spend the extra time necessary to use the intra-oral camera with a patient, only to turn around afterwards and discover that someone has cleaned your room and run your instruments for you. Wouldn’t such a pleasant surprise leave you feeling happy and appreciated? Or perhaps, on a different day, another member of your team seats a nervous patient and visits with them until their provider is available, to put them at their ease…and, in the meantime, you take the initiative to make their follow-up calls for them.

Generous acts like this are the signs of strong, high-functioning teamwork. When members of the team are confident in themselves and in each other, attuned to the rhythms of the day and the needs of patients and staff, then small miracles of thoughtful, selfless assistance flourish. In large part, it is a question of trust – trust that the other members of your team will notice and appreciate your contribution, and will not take you for granted or take advantage of your thoughtfulness.

“A courtyard which is used by all is swept by none.”

Negative energy can be contagious, sapping a team’s morale and motivation. Like the courtyard in the Chinese proverb, the needs of a busy practice can be neglected by its team members if each person assumes that ‘someone else’ will take care of it, or that it’s ‘someone else’s’ turn to step up and volunteer. Self-protection and cynicism become the norm.

But positive energy is contagious, as well. Imagine a practice where no important detail is ignored or forgotten, no patient relationship is left unattended, no team member is stuck with the bulk of the clean-up. It’s within the power of you and your team to create such a warm and supportive place.

Will you take the first step?  What will it be?