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One of my very first employers used to tell me that as I entered the front door to the practice every day, I had to set aside any home worries or family drama. He used to say "It's Showtime"!

It's not as if he was asking us to necessarily act or put on a mask. He just wanted us to be focused on our day and he expected our BEST! It was as if he knew there was a force field that needed to protect the energy inside the building. Honestly, he was one of the best relationship builders I have ever worked with! And, that advice has actually stuck with me all these years for many reasons.

First, it taught me that there was more to life than worrying about all the stuff I was dealing with at home while I was at work. But, there is an even bigger reason...As leaders in our workplace, we do not have enough physical energy or mental capacity to manage the dental practice well while keeping our home life pinging around in our minds! Our patients, teammates, and practice systems demand our best energies so we must learn to focus that energy. 

It starts with us and it certainly should start at the door! 


Consider this thought---Our role as leaders, managers, and dental professionals are more than just showing up to work and going through the motions. Every day, our actions should be elevating the practice, not just managing the status quo. That is what it means to say "It's Showtime." It's a CALL TO ACTION! So, what do I mean by this? What systems need your attention? Where are the opportunities for your team to learn and grow together? What patient may need some attention today to help them to make healthy choices? How are your actions today aligned with the vision for the practice? This takes effort and energy!

The "One"
We have all experienced working with individuals who bring drama to work. They have their cell phone in their pocket and their mannerism is to constantly draw attention to themselves. Maybe a few on the team may even have brought it to your attention or it is triggering others to respond negatively. This can become a constant drain on the team's energy that desperately needs to focus on those we serve---OUR PATIENTS! Trust me, our patients can tell when we are not focused on them. 

And, I get it! There are plenty of high-intensity problems we are facing in society today. There is a HOT MESS going on out in the world! Our teammates are often dealing with a lot at home and there will be moments we need to practice empathy and compassion. There is room for those moments, to a point. it is all about balance! 

There are a couple ways to address this type of behavior. If it is one member of the team who continues to draw this kind of attention, then address that one team member. Sometimes, a gentle nudge in the right direction can go a long way to help one team member to recognize how their habits affect the rest of the team. 

However, there may also be a need to collectively shift towards better focus. The best way to align the team around having focus on the day is to be very clear as what is expected. I find this to be lacking in many practices. Define the expectations! Let them know it takes "all hands on deck." Be crystal clear as to where the energy needs to be focused. When we make it a habit to create patterns and set boundaries within the practice culture, we are protecting that precious energy. It is best to create a culture where the workplace is a zone where our patients have our undivided attention. 

Keep this in mind when you place your hand on the front door today, it's SHOWTIME!

How Leaders Show Up