Orthodontic teams face decisions that require both top-down vision and bottom-up implementation. The orthodontic specialist sets out their expectations for the team with a clear understanding of the direction of the practice. We set the values and principles for guiding decisions. This vision is reinforced by the bottom-up collaborative approach of all members, who assess the patient’s needs, implement treatment plans, and provide feedback for individual patients. This two-pronged approach allows for a more comprehensive and holistic set of decisions considering the patient’s needs, the orthodontic team’s capabilities, and the orthodontic specialist’s goals. Orthodontic teams often face balancing a top-down vision with bottom-up decision-making. This can be difficult as it requires a balance of both the larger picture and the more minor details.
Leadership vision
A top-down vision is essential for any team to function at its best when running a successful orthodontic business. From the orthodontist to the auxiliary staff, each team member should clearly understand the practice’s expectations and direction. Creating a team-oriented environment with a shared vision is especially important in orthodontic care. The best way is to implement a top-down approach where the orthodontist sets the vision and empowered team members can work together to achieve it.
In large organizations, top-down management can ensure that all relevant stakeholders are on the same page. However, we leave decision-making when facing customers and patients in the hands of the individual team members. Orthodontists can’t micromanage enough to cover phones, patient care, and their responsibilities. Therefore, setting a vision can help your practice move to a different level of team dynamics. Companies such as Netflix have led the way in recognizing that empowering those closest to the project can lead to more creative and effective solutions. By giving employees the power to make decisions and own the consequences rather than seeking approval from managers, Netflix has created a model of dispersed decision-making.
Decisions and implementation
For orthodontic teams to function optimally, they must balance top-down vision and bottom-up decision-making. While the top-down vision provides a roadmap for the orthodontic team, the bottom-up decisions bring the plan to life. The bottom-up approach allows each team member to make decisions that align with the vision set out by the orthodontist. Every member of the team must have an understanding of their role and how it fits into the larger picture.
One great example is the Toyota production system. Based on the idea of “flow,” each process is interconnected, leading to greater efficiency and better outcomes. This bottom-up approach is similar to the Toyota Way of working, which emphasizes the importance of each team member having a shared understanding of their purpose and using it to align their individual decisions. The “Toyota Way” of problem-solving is an effective approach for teams, which involves creating a continuous feedback loop between team members and the orthodontist to ensure everyone’s efforts are maximized and working towards a common goal. This approach allows for flexibility and creativity when making decisions, ultimately leading to better outcomes.
