“If you don’t show appreciation to those that deserve it, they will learn to stop doing the things you appreciate.”
When dental teams feel appreciated, they are far more invested in providing great service. Expressing appreciation regularly builds stronger teamwork, which translates into an even better patient experience. If you want your practice and team to reach the next level, commit yourself to expressing appreciation on a regular basis. Here are ideas for how and when to show appreciation:
- Each week thank your team for specific things they are doing well. This is one of the best ways to make people feel valued. For example, your assistant does an outstanding job with an anxious patient, and you express appreciation by saying, “Thank you, Jane, for addressing Mrs. Allen’s concerns and helping her feel calm before the root canal.”
- Schedule employee appreciation events during the year. For example, order your team’s favorite lunch into the office. Take a moment before lunch and say a few words of thanks to the team.
- Show your appreciation in a handwritten note that accompanies a small gift. The note can acknowledge a positive accomplishment or attribute, and the gift can be as simple as movie tickets or a gift card.
- Show your appreciation for team members in front of patients. This not only reinforces the confidence patients place in the team, but it also shows your team that you notice their fine work.
Expressing appreciation is most effective when it acknowledges specific actions, occurs regularly, and comes across as genuine. If you want to get the most from your team, make a commitment to give your team the appreciation they deserve.