No matter how well you manage your practice, there is always the possibility that difficulties will arise within your team. Take action to maintain healthy relationships with our handy guide.
Job definition
It can be completely bewildering for a team member to excitedly join your team, only to get started in a job which bears little resemblance to the advert they responded to. This can lead to frustration and disillusionment, with both your practice and the veterinary profession as a whole.
Create job descriptions for all team members which are clear, thorough, and concisely detail your employee’s roles and responsibilities. The job description should cover the day-to-day routine, as well as opportunities for career growth and development.
Your job description can also be used to help you to provide team members with the training they need to succeed in their role. If you have colleagues working in a similar role, it can be beneficial to consult them to ensure the job description is accurate and that you have covered any training gaps.
Once your new starter has been onboarded, remember to check-in to ensure that the job is meeting their expectations.
Clear expectations
Similarly, it can be mutually beneficial to set clear expectations for each member of your team. If a job is not done, or is not completed to practice standards, it can cause complications and discord within the business.
Take the time to carefully set out your expectations, even where it may seem pedantic. It is better to have oversimplified an explanation than to leave a team member confused.
This is particularly important with practice procedures. Routine procedures should be carefully recorded in an approved document to avoid the risk of confusion.
Team culture
Fostering a team culture across all departments is essential for a veterinary practice to function effectively and efficiently. By uniting the entire team in one common goal, you can ensure that everyone understands the practice’s direction.
A practice team should bring together highly communicative, highly motivated colleagues, with everyone treated with equal importance. Team members do not lose their individuality, but their unique knowledge and experience is shared for the common good.
Regular team meetings are a good way to ensure everyone has the opportunity to share their ideas, improve work methods, raise concerns and offer solutions.
Feedback and recognition
It is amazing the difference that some feedback and positive recognition can have on a team’s morale. However, while many practice managers will say they give lots of encouragement to their colleagues, too often team members will say the opposite.
It may sound obvious, but a simple ‘thank you’ or ‘well done’ can do wonders for your team’s wellbeing. Where feedback is necessary, try to keep it positive and constructive.
Positive attitude
Some people are said to have ‘a smile that lights up the room’. Some people are quite the opposite.
A manager with a negative attitude will only see the problems and difficulties in every day life. This attitude can quickly spread, causing the whole team to become demotivated, exhausted and frustrated. This can also have a particularly negative impact on your team’s mental health.
Bringing a positive attitude to the workplace can have a massive effect on the attitudes of your colleagues. Even if work seems to be challenging, a positive outlook can give your team confidence and improve their moods.
However, while a positive attitude can work wonders for morale, it is not always enough when a colleague is experiencing mental health challenges. Wellbeing check-ins, self-care activities and a mental health first aider are all great adaptations to support those who are struggling.
Supporting inclusivity
Differences in personality can lead to conflicts within veterinary teams. Embracing diverse backgrounds can bring fresh perspectives, but it may also result in clashes due to varying approaches to work and communication.
It is important to appreciate and respect each team member’s unique working style to foster an inclusive and productive team dynamic. Understanding and accommodating these differences can lead to a more effective and cohesive team.
Take the time to speak to each team member and learn about how they work best. Where possible, you may wish to adjust processes and schedules to suit as many people as you can.
