A few weeks ago, in our On-Track Tuesday blog, I shared that the power to raise people up by praise and recognition, is within us.

As a leader, we need to give validation to our team members and even to our patients and clients.

That it is appreciated and goes a long way. We need to support and encourage each other.

On the other side of this is the need to be able to have difficult conversations when warranted.

Many of us keep quiet when things are bothering us. We let things go. We may bring home our frustrations. We may share our complaints with others and in the end, the stress just gets to us.

If something is bothering you at your office (or even at home), it is important to recognize the feelings and take action.

Having these negative feelings is an energy drainer. If we don't act on figuring out a resolution, these negative feelings become energy vampires and they need to be addressed.

To have a difficult conversation one must be prepared, have a positive mindset and notes ready, along with a suggestion for a resolution.

You can also put a love, hate message in the same opening sentence.

For example, Lois, I love you on our team, but I hate or do not like (as my mam always taught me to never use the word hate!) the way that you do this (ie. gossip, never show up for the morning huddle, late coming in, complain about tasks, etc.).

This way you are starting the difficult conversation with a positive but then letting this person know that what they are doing isn't ok.

If you have to speak with an employer about a particular person that is draining the team, by starting the conversation with a positive, it sets the stage for a good conversation.

If you are working with the Rejectionist (that's my term for the receptionist that is kind of miserable, we all have worked with one, you know it!), this person is the face of your practice. They can make or break your practice. I know when we are presenting our Energy Management course to a live audience and if I mention this word, everyone looks at each other, eyes open wide as they all knew one along their professional career! Having a rejectionist in your office is an energy drainer and it needs to be addressed with the owner.

Making people aware that they are doing things that are affecting the morale or culture of the office is a difficult conversation but one that should be rewarding after.

If the person doesn't change even after they have been aware that their behaviour isn't ok, well perhaps it is time that they move on or if you can't take that negative energy any longer and cannot make change happen, perhaps you are the one that needs to move on (depending on the situation).

We spend a third of our lives at work, you better believe it's important to be happy!

Stay tuned for our next Energy Management for the Dental Hygienist program!

Thank you for reading and have a great week ahead. Please take a look below for what is coming up!

Kindest regards,

Kathleen