Every business, regardless of size has one- a company culture. It is the intangible life force of an organization that affects productivity, morale and customer service. What forms company culture is a hotly debated subject in the world of business psychology. One camp firmly believes it stems from ownership while another group contends culture is determined by employees. I sit in the middle of the debate.
Culture: It’s a recipe
Initially, when a business opens its doors, the vision of the owner drives the vibe: are they uptight, upbeat, or uplifting? Those incubator moments are just that- the infancy of what’s coming.
Think of company culture like an intricate recipe- as employees- with their inherent talents, morals, and mores are added, the flavor of the dish begins to deepen, becoming more complex and robust. A well- chosen team compliment each other, but ownership is the base, as well as the proverbial “pot stirrer”. When culture begins to sour, it’s typically due to one of the following reasons:
- Poor communication
- Lack of discipline
- Interpersonal conflict
- Leadership missteps
Toxicity in culture leads to high employee turnover, decreased efficiency and ultimately a business that either fails or does not reach its potential. Going back to the recipe concept, adding an ingredient that doesn’t enhance the dish will throw the whole taste profile off, much like a toxic personality will detract from the group. A “company terrorist”, of sorts. Conversely, a leader who forgets to stir the pot with support, encouragement and training will allow things to “stick” and burn. Most dental practices operate with a handful of employees. A functional, cohesive team- leadership included- ensures that patient care is stellar and that days in the office are enjoyable and productive. Dental teams are unique in that few other businesses work so intimately- we regularly enter each other’s personal space and are heavily reliant on one another to do our job. Consequently, when a team is dysfunctional and the culture of the office has deteriorated, days spent at work can be miserable. Little is worse than the knot in your stomach walking in the front door every morning, unsure what the day will bring.
Culture CAN be re-launched.
Obviously ownership won’t change, but leadership skills can be developed and team members who ultimately want to succeed, re-engaged. Do a cultural assessment: is that dish you’re preparing flavorful and ready to serve or does it require more development and that extra something to make it “just right”?
(Article originally posted in March, 2018 under Ascendant Dental Development LLC and migrated here to our newly branded company and website.)
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