The role of a clinic manager/owner isn’t always smooth sailing.

Not all your clinic staff members and contractors are going to be easy to work with and ensuring everything is running smoothly can often prove a challenge.

So how can you go about being a great clinic manager/owner who displays authority and leadership, at the same time as maintaining respect from your reception & clinical staff? Here are a few of my top tips for effective management in your clinic.

1) Maintain good communication
Employees and contractors want to be kept in the loop about ongoing projects, goals, and new referral relationships, etc., so it’s essential that you communicate well with them and inform them about goings-on within the clinic. It’s also essential that you encourage feedback and that your staff and contractors feel that they can approach you with any questions or issues they want to address, so making yourself accessible to your staff and contractors is critical.

2) Build positive working relationships
It’s important to get to know members of your team individually, not only on a professional level but on a more personal level too. When you put the effort in to get to know a bit more about how your reception and clinical are doing and what they are interested in, it will build a much better rapport among the team.

3) Acknowledge good work
Don’t be one of these bosses who only gives feedback when you’ve got something to criticise! By providing your staff and contractors with positive feedback it will help to build their confidence and encourage them to get more involved in the future, so it’s vital that you acknowledge their achievements and the effort that they are putting in. Encourage creativity and ensure that everyone is clear about what is expected of them.

4) Be real
Your practice team doesn’t expect you to be superhuman, so if you’re feeling the pressure and need a helping hand, don’t be afraid to admit it and if you make a mistake, own up! By showing the human side of yourself and allowing your staff to get to know you a bit better, your team will feel more relaxed and comfortable approaching you.

5) Be decisive
A good leader needs to be able to assert their authority and make important decisions for the practice. There is no space for flakiness in a leadership role, so it’s crucial that you stick to your guns and go with what you feel is best the clinic.

6) Delegate jobs to the right people
Part of why it is vital that you establish a relationship with your team and get to know them individually is so you can assess what their strengths are. People perform better and are more engaged in roles where they feel they are employing their best skills, so delegating proper functions to both reception and clinical staff that suit each will have a significant impact on the productivity of the team.

7) Manage conflict
When there is conflict in the workplace, it should not be ignored. Turning a blind eye could lead to a negative atmosphere, which could have implications for staff and contractor productivity and communication among the team may suffer. When an issue arises, it’s crucial that it is addressed straight away before it builds.

8) Set a good example
Your staff and contractors will look to you for guidance and inspiration, so it’s essential that you set a good example to gain their respect. If you expect them to behave professionally and commit to their work in the clinic, it’s vital that you do so yourself. Make sure that you are doing your job whether it is on the clinical or management side of things, continuing to develop your skills and support your team in doing so too.