When you’re juggling rotas, patients, compliance, and the dozen daily challenges of running a dental practice, sitting down one-on-one with team members can feel unnecessary, or even impossible. Especially in smaller practices, it’s easy to assume you already talk enough during the day.
But here’s the thing:
One-to-ones don’t need to be formal or time-consuming, just consistent, focused, and meaningful.
Why make time for them?
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- They build trust and open communication
- They give every team member a chance to feel heard
- You can spot small problems before they grow
- They help guide personal development, not just job performance
Even a 20-minute chat every couple of months can create real impact. These aren’t box-ticking exercises, they’re opportunities to check in, show appreciation, and understand how each person is really getting on.
You might uncover training needs, hidden stress, or even valuable suggestions you’d never hear in a group setting. And just as importantly, your team sees that you care – not just about the job, but about them.
Tip: Come with a few open-ended prompts like,
“How are you finding things lately?”
“What is one thing that is going well, and one that isn’t?”
You might be surprised by what they share when given the space.