We've all heard and used the phrase "good work ethic" before, but have you ever dug into how that might present itself in your staff? Especially with the changing work from in-person to remote jobs, your employees have more options and agency over what types of work make them feel most fulfilled and productive.
Improving work ethic starts with helping your staff feel connected to the success of your practice. If your staff views practice success and patient satisfaction as a personal victory, they'll be more likely to share the same values as you.
How Optometry Office Managers Can Improve Work Ethic
Interview Process
Employees with good work ethic tend to place a high value on professional success. When interviewing any candidates for a role in your eyecare practice, ask about their moral principles and professional values. Not only will this question reveal how much thought a candidate has put to their choice of career, but it will help you see if they align with your practice's values as well. It's important to believe in the importance of your job in any role you assume, but specifically a healthcare role. Another good question to ask during the interview process is "Do you believe hard work is essential to maintaining a strong character? Why?"
Signs of Good Work Ethic
Goal Setting
We've discussed how to create and meet goals plenty of times on this blog. If your staff is creating goals for themselves, then that's a high indicator of good work ethic. Not only do they imagine a future for themselves in the practice, but they're dedicated to improvement and growth.
Time Management
In general, an employee that is able to successfully complete short-term and long-term assigned tasks is showing respect for the rest of their teammates and the practice's growth. This is especially true if your team is allocating their time to align with the practice's priorities. They recognize that meeting deadlines and not procrastinating on admin work benefits everyone in the long-term.
Investing in Coworker Relationships
We're using the word "investing" because sometimes building rapport with your teammates doesn't feel immediately necessary to completing work tasks. However, employees that have established respect are more likely to help each other fix individual errors or pickup a few tasks when their coworkers are swamped. Symbiotic relationships can lead to smooth interpersonal dynamics during times of change, stress, or just busy periods.
Ambassador of Practice
The final sign we think you should look out for is an employee that proudly represents the practice in every interaction. This could mean that they don't push blame onto other people when a customer or patient is causing conflict. They could also be ready to celebrate when the practice or another teammate reaches their profit goal for the month or quarter. If your employees use "we" terminology, you're in a secure position.
For more staff management tips and stories, read our ebook on Expert Staff Management in Eyecare.
