CYNTHIA STAMATION
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Most endodontic practices organize some kind of holiday celebration for the team during this time of the year. That’s a good thing, but in some practices, it might be the ONLY social event for the team all year, which is a lost opportunity. There are a lot of factors that go into creating a highly enjoyable and productive team environment, and team social events are often overlooked. However, the benefits of team social events to supporting and achieving business goals are numerous.
1. Encouraging open communication
The work environment of a dental practice is structured around the patient schedule and often there are limited opportunities for teams to communicate as a whole group. Team social events serve as informal settings where employees can communicate more freely and openly. By encouraging open communication during these events, team members can share their thoughts, ideas, and concerns in a relaxed atmosphere. Team members who feel heard and valued are more likely to contribute positively to the team and collaborate effectively.
2. Strengthening interpersonal relationships
One of the primary benefits of team social events is the opportunity for employees to build stronger interpersonal relationships. When individuals connect on a personal level, they are more likely to collaborate seamlessly, as they understand each other’s strengths, weaknesses, and working styles. In addition, strong interpersonal relationships improve the respect and value that team members have for each other’s role and contributions to the team’s objectives. This creates a more cohesive team dynamic.
3. Fostering a sense of belonging
As anyone new to a team can tell you, the transition from feeling like an outsider to an integral part of the team can be difficult. Even for established team members, those that are shy or introverted may tend to hold back in the office environment. Team social events play a crucial role in fostering a sense of belonging among team members, so that each team member has the confidence to fully engage in their role within the team. Relaxed social events help to break down barriers by drawing everyone together with a sense of unity.
4. Integrating team building activities
Incorporating team-building activities into social events is an effective way to spark joy and build team spirit. These activities can range from games to more elaborate team challenges. Team-building activities encourage communication and foster a spirit of healthy competitiveness and cooperation.
Last week at Endo Mastery, we held our annual team holiday party. For us, company events are held on Zoom because we are a distributed team across North America. This year, we challenged our team to a gingerbread village decorating contest. Each team was sent a gingerbread kit to inspire them, but there were no rules on the direction they could take. We had some amazing submissions and congratulations to Director of Coaching Debra Miller for taking first prize with her “Mastery Village”.
Most importantly, it’s about having fun together, creating team memories, and bringing that positivity back into daily interactions.
5. Showcasing appreciation and recognition
Team social events provide an ideal setting for expressing appreciation and recognizing individual and collective contributions. Publicly acknowledging the efforts of team members reinforces a culture of appreciation and respect. Recognition boosts morale, motivates employees to excel, and creates a positive atmosphere where everyone feels valued. By showcasing appreciation during social events, practice leaders can strengthen the bond between team members and promote a culture of mutual respect.
6. Aligning team goals and values
Finally, social events also serve as a platform for reinforcing the organization’s mission, vision, and values. Doctors can leverage these occasions to align team goals with the broader objectives of the company. By emphasizing shared values and a common purpose, team members gain a clearer understanding of how their individual contributions contribute to the organization’s success. This alignment helps team members see the bigger picture and how success in the practice truly requires a team effort.
Finding your social rhythm
Every practice is a little different. Some practices are more naturally social. Other practices have team members who live at varying distances or have childcare responsibilities that make events after normal work hours more challenging.
Be flexible and creative. You can do a catered extended lunch break if off-hour events are hard to get everyone there. Also consider “spouses, partners and children welcome” events such as a picnic. For the ultimate team building social experience, coming to an Endo Mastery seminar such as our January event in Las Vegas is an incredibly memorable team experience.
It’s a good idea to be organized and plan well in advance for social events so that team members can make necessary arrangements. If it’s not your style to plan these kinds of things, you probably have one or more team members who would love to take on the responsibility of a quarterly event. Give them an event budget so they can make each event a little special, and it will be the best investment you can make in building and growing team spirit.