Does your team roll their eyes every time you come back from a seminar?
You bring home a new system, the team tries it, and a few weeks later it fades. It’s easy to decide your team hates change. More often, they’re tired of new orders every week and ideas that never stick. When you introduce 10 things and follow through on two, you teach them to wait and see which ones survive.
Here’s how to make your next change stick:
- Identify the problem clearly.
Don’t just announce a new rule. Share what you’re noticing and where the practice is falling short. - Define the goal.
Be clear on the result you need, then leave the “how” open. - Invite collaboration.
Ask your team what they’d recommend and let them build the solution. This is where your natural leaders show up. - Follow up.
Revisit it together in a couple of weeks. What’s working? What needs adjusting? Without follow-up, everything feels temporary.
If you’re reading this thinking, “Yep, that’s me,” just own it. Tell your team you’ve thrown a lot at them, apologize, and recognize what they’re already doing well. There’s no weakness in that.
Then go back to the last change you introduced. Did you explain the problem, define the goal, ask for input, and follow up? If not, your next move isn’t another new idea. It’s finishing that one.
P.S. Want more ideas for leading your team and building a practice you can depend on? Join us in the free DPH Community to connect with other dentists, ask questions, and share ideas.
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