Worried About Rocking the Boat When Making Changes? Try These 3 Steps

“I can't change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.” ~ Anonymous

Change. You either embrace it or dread it. 

Whether you’re the go-with-the-flow type or a change-resistor, it’s impossible to avoid. Change will come to  your practice someday…or maybe it already has.

It’s how you handle the need to shake things up that will get your team pumped to climb on board or have them buying a one-way ticket out of there. Done the right way, change can help your practice grow both financially and professionally. 

If change is in the air at your practice, here are three ways to do it without rocking the boat. 

Before you set course on making changes, bring your team into the fold. Explain to them what isn’t working and what needs to happen. Then, ask for their input. Those in the day-to-day weeds of the business usually have a great sense of how to fix the problems you’re highlighting. 

When your team sees that you value their opinions and want change to be a collaborative effort, they will be more receptive to wiggling the boat just a little bit more.     

A cheerleader’s job is to rile up a crowd in support of the team on the field. They lead the crowd in energetic cheers that get people excited. Done well, the crowd roars in unison as their team takes home the victory. 

Are you ready to be your team’s cheerleader? You don’t have to lead pep rallies every morning, but you’ll want to communicate with your staff. Make it clear how your vision, with their input, will benefit the practice. Offer training if needed, answer questions they may have, and be open to switching things up to meet their needs. 

Reassess progress regularly to make sure the changes are working, need tweaking, and your team is still in it to win it. 

3. Name a chief mate 

Everyone will play a role in your plans, but not everyone can steer the ship at the same time, all the time. Since you’re the captain and need to keep everything running, you need to choose a Chief Mate who is respected among your staff and can take ownership of implementing the changes. 

This person can champion your vision, and it might also be a perfect opportunity to let this employee shine and prove their potential.

Change can be tough, but it doesn’t have to be painful

Although unavoidable, change can be enjoyable. With the right plans in place, open and frequent communication, and team input, it can be empowering to everyone at your practice. If you’re not sure where to begin making changes for the better, we can help. Thousands of dentists have worked with Amplify360 to make changes that resulted in smooth sailing. Schedule a Practice Discovery Call and discover what we can do for you.