Reducing Friction in Your Practice: Insights and Practical Tips
As practice owners and managers, we constantly juggle the intricate components of our business “machine.” One particularly challenging obstacle in ensuring a well-oiled operation is workplace friction. The recent conversation on Practice Growth HQ with Michael Nice, a leader with over 30 years of experience, sheds light on how we can diminish this friction and foster a more cohesive team.
Understanding Workplace Friction
Friction in a business context means communication hindrances and workflow disruptions that can lead to inefficiencies. Often, we are sprinting so fast to meet deadlines that we skip the crucial niceties of effective communication. Our assumptions that everyone knows their roles or neglecting someone’s emotional state contribute significantly to workplace friction.
Is Friction Inevitable?
Friction, to some extent, is indeed a built-in part of any business. But, as Michael highlights, we can mitigate it by being mindful of our interactions and ensuring clarity in our messaging and vision. The essence lies in not just strategic planning but also in showing up with a thoughtful philosophy that prioritises smooth communication.
Spotting Friction in Your Office
Indicators of friction include prolonged email chains, repeated behavioural issues, unmet expectations despite clear communications, and customer complaints. These are signs that processes might be breaking down and need addressing.
Practical Ways to Reduce Friction
1. Round Robin Communication: In team meetings, initiate a round robin to ensure everyone speaks early on. This strategy increases participation and engagement. Start the session with something non-work related, like what team members are grateful for, to humanise interactions and reveal unexpected connections.
2. Direct Communication: Replace lengthy email exchanges with short, direct phone calls or face-to-face meetings. Younger generations may prefer messaging, but a conversation allows for better emotional nuance and understanding.
3. The Favourite Person Practice: Confront difficult interactions by imagining the person as someone you deeply care about. This helps promote empathy and understanding, transforming a potentially volatile exchange into a constructive discussion.
4. Prioritise Self-Care: As highlighted by Michael’s personal story, without ensuring our physical and emotional well-being, we can’t effectively foster a kind and frictionless environment. Regular self-care not only fuels personal kindness but also sets a healthy example for the team.
5. Build Trust Through Personal Connections: Increase trust by learning more about your team members beyond their professional roles. Know what excited them as children or details that others might not know about them. This knowledge fosters stronger interpersonal cohesion.
As you aim to grow your practice, it’s crucial to identify and implement strategies that minimize friction, turning your workplace into a more seamless and efficient operation. Michael Nice’s insights offer several practical approaches to achieve that, ensuring your team can work in harmony, just like a well-tuned machine.
For more enriching insights, keep listening to Practice Growth HQ on Spotify https://spoti.fi/42rpDPf and Apple Podcasts https://apple.co/3EoZbKI.
Remember, it’s not just knowledge but applied knowledge that powers growth. Choose one strategy and implement it today for a smoother, more successful practice environment.