Chiropractic Practice Building Tips 7 & 8

Don’t Take It Too Seriously

Tip 7

It has been said that laughter is the best medicine. Humor has a way of creating a strong bond between your practice team members and your patients alike. I have been in chiropractic practices where the tension is so thick that you could cut it with a knife. It may not be visible, but it creates barriers between honest communication and connection. The most successful practices that I have worked with know how to work hard and play hard together as a team. If your patients hear the sounds of good-natured laughter amid the sound of adjusting tables rising and falling, the likelihood is that they will view your practice as a place that they feel comfortable referring their friends and family too. Don’t be so concerned about appearing as the authoritative doctor that you forget to connect with your patients on a human level.

Love Your Team

Tip 8

It may not be politically correct to say “love” your team, but in a day and age when employees work as much for their paycheck as they do for a sense of personal growth and belonging—it’s a message not to be overlooked. Developing your practice team can be a challenging job. I’ve often found that it is best to hire for a great attitude and work ethic. You will be spending a lot of time together as a team, so make sure you hire people you enjoy being around. With that in place, the next step is to train for skills. Schedule leisure time with your team that involves fun activities that take you away from the pressures of running a practice. A trip to the food court at the local mall, a summertime picnic or an afternoon at the movies are wonderful examples. This provides you with the opportunity to share your vision, listen to one another and share your victories. It’s wonderful to reward exceptional practice contributions and to enjoy the unique personalities of your team members at a fun gathering.