As they say, teamwork makes the dream work. Whether we own an orthodontic practice or not, we are all a part of an orthodontic team. In the book “Teams that Work,” authors Scott Tannenbaum and Eduardo Salas outline seven drivers for successful teams that work, which we can implement to drive excellence with our orthodontic teams.
Capabilities
We must hire, train and develop a team with the best individual skills and dynamics. The first driver is capabilities and having the skills and knowledge necessary to complete tasks and achieve goals. It also means having the right people in the right roles and understanding each team member’s strengths and weaknesses. Everything starts with the right expertise.
Cooperation
With cooperation, we work together as a team to achieve common goals and objectives. It also means being willing to compromise and make sacrifices to reach a consensus. Trust, psychological safety, collective efficacy, and cohesion are four cooperation beliefs that affect team effectiveness.
Coordination
The third driver is coordination, or having a plan of action that everyone can agree on and follow to reach the desired outcome. It also means being organized and efficient to maximize productivity. Behaviors affect teamwork. Support, adaption, and conflict resolution can be critical for proper coordination.
Communication
Effective communication comes from having open lines between team members so everyone can stay informed and up-to-date on progress, tasks, and goals. It also means expressing ideas clearly and effectively so everyone can understand them. The quality of the communication has a more significant impact than quantity.
Cognition
Excellent cognition allows us to ensure we are all on the same page. With awareness, we understand how team members think and process information to perform tasks more efficiently and effectively. It also means thinking critically and creatively when faced with a challenge or obstacle.
Conditions
When we create an environment where everyone feels comfortable expressing their ideas without fear of criticism or judgment, we make the right conditions for a team to work effectively. You get what you encourage and tolerate, so set the conditions to promote proper behavior within your orthodontic team. It also means ensuring everyone has the resources to do their job properly.
Coaching
The seventh driver is coaching. Coaching and mentoring means providing feedback, guidance, and support to team members so that they can reach their full potential. It also means providing constructive criticism when necessary to help team members improve their performance. In an orthodontic team, we should strive to create leadership across all levels, especially within our ranks.
