Are You Celebrating Enough?

– By Dr Nav Ropra.

So you’re working all hours of the day and night, taking care of as many patients as possible and doing a great job.  Your team is dedicated and committed to making the practice grow.  This is happening month after month, year after year.

Have you ever considered to take some time out to celebrate together? It doesn’t have to be a glitzy affair, or a 5 course meal.  Just something which is affordable and happens every so often (I recommend every 4 months).

The team can get to know each other more on an informal basis and the dentist(s) can acknowledge the hard work that everyone has contributed to drive the practice forwards.

‘Have you ever considered to take some time out to celebrate together?’

Whatever you do, it will be your unique message to your team on how you appreciate them.

It can be birthdays, festivals, or it may be in conjunction with a dental course.   Celebrating and learning can be the fastest way of growing together and ensuring that the team knowledge is aligned with a recognised reputable standard of care.   Make sure that you regulate whatever you provide so that all team members feel equally appreciated and the celebrations are done across the board fairly.  Ask them where they would like to go to celebrate.

‘Whatever you do, it will be your unique message to your team on how you appreciate them.’

It would be wise to have a policy regarding photos and social media use as well an alcohol limit agreed by everyone beforehand.  You may not want your practice party disasters on the internet the next day or individuals turning up to work a little worse for wear.  A professional looking group photo for your website however can be a great way of letting your patients know that you are united, approachable and have a balanced work-social life.

If you are not in a financial position to go out and celebrate, do something small yet meaningful.  A card, a box of chocolates, a pizza for lunch are some things which you can do for the team.  These don’t cost that much but can go a long way in acknowledging people.  Remember that it’s not what you do, but the message that you want to give to your team which is more important.  Tell them why you believe they deserve it.  They need to hear this.

Remember that real appreciation of your team does not involve having unrealistic expectations on them after you have spent time and money on them.  If you are hoping that the team will work harder for you as a result of you taking them out, you may want to reconsider your motives for celebrating.  They will not like it if you use the celebrations as leverage afterwards.

‘Tell them why you believe they deserve it.  They need to hear this.’

At the very least, as a dentist, why not go out yourself and honour the work you have done.  Spending time with oneself is a great way of reflecting on the success that you are and all that you have created.

Try it.  Give yourself the permission to go out and celebrate your business in some small way today.  You deserve it!