Is This You?

I constantly hear clients complaining about how they don’t have enough time to go to the bathroom – let alone all the other substantive things they want to accomplish – both in their professional lives and their personal lives. Doctors these days just seem flat out overwhelmed. Yet I continue to observe other doctors – albeit a much smaller segment – who seem to have figured out how to achieve the balance we are all seeking. These are very successful, creative and innovative professionals who have achieved– or are on their way to achieving –
their dreams.

I believe these doctors have mastered the art of delegation. They are the polar opposite of the micromanager. They revel in the old saying “if you want to get something done ask a busy person.” They allow competent staff to take responsibility for tasks or projects and then let them run with them. These successful doctors are also smart enough to know what NOT to delegate. As someone once said, “I can give you the sheet music for Blowin’ In The Wind, but you ain’t gonna be Bob Dylan.”

Of course, this means you need to have trusted, responsible, talented and motivated people working for you. During my monthly meetings and telephone calls, I am always hearing about staff issues – immature behavior, lack of appreciation, always asking for more, not understanding the concept of team, etc. The list is endless. In fact, I’ve said repeatedly that the most significant roadblock to success in any dental practice is the failure to assemble and retain a great team. So why do we continue to employ ineffectual people? Why do we continue to tolerate mediocrity when there are so many talented people available?

I think it may be the ultimate catch-22: you are so stressed and so busy that you don’t have the time or energy to solve the problem. Unfortunately it seems easier to just live with what you’ve got. Seth Godin eloquently discussed this very problem a few days ago. So you need to re-define your vision. Almost like a New Year’s resolution – even if it is already March. Simply stated, identify the areas that only you can do – the areas that create the most value in your life – and agree to assign or delegate everything else. Obviously this is easier said than done – or I wouldn’t be writing this post.

John Wooden, the iconic basketball coach of UCLA, might have said it best. He attributed his coaching success to “getting my players to do what they don’t want to do in order to get the results they want”. I couldn’t offer better advice.