Accountability is a key factor in the success of any practice or business. Practices with low accountability often experience breakdowns in the systems, lower practice production, and more stress. The more accountable the team, the more efficient the practice, and the better the systems are followed. This all typically leads to higher production, profit, and income. It also leads to a happier and more satisfying career for everyone in the practice and to building and maintaining an excellent team environment.
Always give a deadline. When you provide a deadline, it gives the team member an opportunity to decide whether they can get it done, and if they don’t think they can handle it, they can respond accordingly and ask what needs to be shifted to complete the task.
Don’t forget to explain the desired result. One of the top factors leading to failure of accountability is when the other person does not understand the desired result of the task. For example, simply leaving a message for a patient who is overdue for an appointment is not an acceptable result when the real accountability is getting the overdue patient scheduled. Many systems break down in practices because the desired result is not understood.
Dr. Roger P. Levin is CEO of Levin Group, a leading practice management and marketing consulting firm. To contact him or to join the 40,000 dental professionals who receive his Practice Production Tip of the Day, visit LevinGroup.com or email [email protected].
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