“I just can’t take it anymore! If I have to go back there, I’m going to lose my mind!!”
This was a direct quote from our eldest daughter when she was around thirteen years old. She was (and still is) our super high energy child, who loves lots of activity in her life and is renewed by plenty of People Time.
With the best of intentions as good parents, we wanted each of our children to work in different areas of our orthodontic practice. It just happened that we needed help in the lab at the time. So our daughter had to sit in the far back recesses of our office, alone in a cubby, with a scaler in one hand and a model of someone’s teeth in the other, carefully picking the bubbles off the models, model after model, hour after hour.
I ask you – was this job a good fit for our daughter? I assume you said, “Absolutely NOT!” It went against every inch of how she was made and how she preferred to function. No wonder she was losing her mind!
Now picture your staff. Think about the roles they have in your office. Are any of them silently screaming, “I’m going to lose my mind if I have to go back there again!” This is entirely possible unless you learn how to put the Ideal Person in their Ideal Place. And this is one of the keys in preventing turnover in your office.
As a first step, think of someone (maybe it’s you) who:
- Loves to take charge in any situation
- Adds an element of fun wherever they are
- Is so patient and gentle
- Loves details and systems
These are the strengths of the four basic DISC Styles:
- D-Style
- I-Style
- S-Style
- C-Style
Taken to an extreme, each of these strengths can become a weakness:
- D-Style can get pretty bossy and insist their way is best
- I-Style can’t seem to take things seriously, even when it is needed
- S-Style needs to pick up their pace at times
- C-Style requires so many details on everything and thinks their system is right
Over the next four weeks, we will look at each style in more depth, then discuss where they best fit in your office and why.
QUESTION: Have you ever considered a person’s design when giving them a job in your office? I’d love to hear your thoughts and observations. Please share in the comment section below.
P.S. My orthodontist husband, Galen, and I will continue a regular email, “Orthodontic Tips and Tricks” – on how he handled specific orthodontic treatment problems and challenges as well as some orthodontic “pearls” – those priceless gems that made all the difference in his practice. These will be sent by email only. You can sign up to be included in these regular emails. Just click here: “Yes! Please sign me up to receive Galen’s Orthodontic “Tips, Tricks and Pearls”.
P.P.S. Also, I’m doing some research for a new product I’m creating. Looking to talk with several more dental professionals who want to minimize turnover in their office. If you are interested, please leave a comment below, and I’ll follow up with you to schedule a short 15-minute Zoom call. Thanks!
Leave A Comment