William J. Lahners, MD, FACS, medical director of the Center for Sight in Sarasota, Fla., offers three tips on keeping your staff motivated and enthusiastic throughout the year.
1. Give back to the community. If your facility makes itself an integral part of the community, Dr. Lahners says your staff members will feel more connected to their patients and therefore more motivated to do great work. "We've been part of the community for over 20 years now, and I know the community can sense that connection too," he says.
In order to tie your facility to its surroundings, Dr. Lahners recommends doing charity work in your local area. His facility gives back to the community through free cataract surgery for underserved populations, regular fundraisers, toy drives and contributions to homeless shelters. "We participate in an angel program around Christmastime, where we pick names off a tree and everyone brings in toys and presents for the underprivileged children we select," he says. "These sorts of things are very special."
2. Organize regular events. As well as fundraisers, toy drives and other charity-based projects, your facility can promote team cohesion by organizing regular outings. They don't have to be formal or planned months ahead of time, Dr. Lahners says. Something as simple as a team dinner or a casual outing can help your staff members blow off steam and enjoy each other's company.
3. Involve yourselves in each other's lives. Staff members will feel more motivated to come to work every day if they know they're coming to a friendly, supportive community with a genuine interest in their successes and concerns. "We really try to share in each other's company and in each other's lives," Dr. Lahners says. You don't have to be best friends with everyone you work with, but non-invasive, honest interest in people's hobbies, plans and family life can go a long way. "Center for Sight has always been very family oriented and therefore a real cohesive group," Dr. Lahners says.
1. Give back to the community. If your facility makes itself an integral part of the community, Dr. Lahners says your staff members will feel more connected to their patients and therefore more motivated to do great work. "We've been part of the community for over 20 years now, and I know the community can sense that connection too," he says.
In order to tie your facility to its surroundings, Dr. Lahners recommends doing charity work in your local area. His facility gives back to the community through free cataract surgery for underserved populations, regular fundraisers, toy drives and contributions to homeless shelters. "We participate in an angel program around Christmastime, where we pick names off a tree and everyone brings in toys and presents for the underprivileged children we select," he says. "These sorts of things are very special."
2. Organize regular events. As well as fundraisers, toy drives and other charity-based projects, your facility can promote team cohesion by organizing regular outings. They don't have to be formal or planned months ahead of time, Dr. Lahners says. Something as simple as a team dinner or a casual outing can help your staff members blow off steam and enjoy each other's company.
3. Involve yourselves in each other's lives. Staff members will feel more motivated to come to work every day if they know they're coming to a friendly, supportive community with a genuine interest in their successes and concerns. "We really try to share in each other's company and in each other's lives," Dr. Lahners says. You don't have to be best friends with everyone you work with, but non-invasive, honest interest in people's hobbies, plans and family life can go a long way. "Center for Sight has always been very family oriented and therefore a real cohesive group," Dr. Lahners says.