Why would I say a quiet employee is a good employee? Because I'm not talking about a silent Sara, I'm talking aboutan employee who makes no disturbance or trouble. One who is peaceable and causes no turbulence. Think about the wake behind a boat. If the boat is being driven well, the wake will be straight. If the boat is being driven erratically, the wake will reflect that, too. When we work quietly and peacefully, we leave a good wake behind us. Our co-workers benefit from our peaceful approach and our patients thrive as well. When a team member works in quietude, more gets done and it gets done better. The team member is better able to get into the zone and focus. She is thinking about the task at hand and not about gossip, problems or arguments. A lot of dentists seem to enjoy working quietly. There is enough noise to begin with between the whine of the handpiece and the drone of the suction. We work in a small space and there is a lot to think about that is directly related to caring for the patient in the chair at the moment. A chatty, stressed assistant would be a distraction once the treatment begins. A conflicted, stressed hygienist would have a hard time disguising that turbulence and the patient would sense her feelings. A receptionist who is unfocused and interrupted by disturbing emotions will have a difficult time keeping it all together. You, working with three scattered team members would pull your hair out. Next time you get together with your staff, ask them if they find themselves distracted or if they are able to work peaceably. Talk about ways to make their day more serene. I'm not suggesting you take a vow of silence or outlaw fun and laughter. I'm suggesting you cut out stress wherever you can and focus on ways to improve your wake. The ride will be much more enjoyable for everyone.
When we work quietly and peacefully, we leave a good wake behind us. Our co-workers benefit from our peaceful approach and our patients thrive as well. When a team member works in quietude, more gets done and it gets done better. The team member is better able to get into the zone and focus. She is thinking about the task at hand and not about gossip, problems or arguments.
A lot of dentists seem to enjoy working quietly. There is enough noise to begin with between the whine of the handpiece and the drone of the suction. We work in a small space and there is a lot to think about that is directly related to caring for the patient in the chair at the moment. A chatty, stressed assistant would be a distraction once the treatment begins. A conflicted, stressed hygienist would have a hard time disguising that turbulence and the patient would sense her feelings. A receptionist who is unfocused and interrupted by disturbing emotions will have a difficult time keeping it all together. You, working with three scattered team members would pull your hair out.
Next time you get together with your staff, ask them if they find themselves distracted or if they are able to work peaceably. Talk about ways to make their day more serene. I'm not suggesting you take a vow of silence or outlaw fun and laughter. I'm suggesting you cut out stress wherever you can and focus on ways to improve your wake. The ride will be much more enjoyable for everyone.