A new style of practice performance will be necessary in the recovery phase from COVID-19. The key word is resiliency. People who are rigid will find the turnaround extremely difficult because it's no longer business as usual. Conversely, people and practices that are resilient and flexible will bounce back much faster than others.
Break some of the rules. Leaders must understand that all practice rules, regulations, policies, and protocols must be reevaluated or made more flexible. During this time, your team members will be much more concerned about their family, financial situation, and health. You may need to send staff members to the staff room so they can regain their composure. They may even need to go home. Yes, it puts pressure on the rest of the practice, but when they arrive the next day they will be in a better state of mind. Being flexible will help keep your practice far better off than taking the hard stance on rules and protocols.
Don't forget to embrace change. Change is not always easy or obvious, but it's usually good. Every day, simply ask yourself one question: What am I going to change today? Small little changes add up to really big positive changes over time. Resilient leaders are successful in a crisis because they are willing to change and change quickly.
Roger P. Levin, DDS, is the CEO of Levin Group, a leading dental management consulting firm, and one of the most sought-after speakers in dentistry. Dr. Levin has authored 65 books and more than 4,000 articles on dental practice management and marketing. You can sign up for the Levin Group Tip of the Day.
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