Are you helping your managers live up to their responsibilities and your expectations?

One important lesson I’ve carried through life from my dad is this: People will treat you as you expect to be treated. I think this is fundamentally true; in one way or another, we all send out signals and expectations to those around us.

Apply this to you and your own management team.
• Do you expect them to handle difficult situations themselves or to wait for your opinion and direction?
• Are they fearful of taking reasonable risk or trying something new, based on your previous reactions?
• If they are encouraged to be autonomous problem solvers, are you patient and understanding when an error is made?
• Do they understand that missteps happen, but learning must follow so the errors are not repeated?

As the leader of your managers, you have to be acutely aware of the signals you send, both consciously and unconsciously. Are you being clear about the major and minor, long-term and short-term goals? Do you follow up, which shows that it really does matter? Have you been clear on where an assignment or goal is placed on the overall priority list for the week, month or year? If everything is a top priority, then nothing is a priority. Do you exhibit confidence and trust in your managers, so they will be more likely to trust you back?

If you have managers who step up when times get tough, by covering for each other or smoothing difficult situations in support of you and the overall practice, it probably means that as an owner or business manager you are being clear with expectations — that your managers feel appreciated and supported by you and are happy to do so in return.
Set your expectations high and clear. Show your staff that you have the confidence that you can all reach those goals together. Support those who support your practice efforts, and you’ll build a willing team that has the strength and desire to forge ahead to accomplish your vision for the practice.

Corinne Z. Wohl, MHSA, COE, is the administrator at Delaware Ophthalmology Consultants and can be reached at 609-410-2932 or czwohl@gmail.com.