2 6 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • O C T O B E R 2 0 1 6
Make Time for Face Time With Your Team
Person-to-person communication is key to leadership, but given
the weight of daily responsibilities, long-term projects and sudden
demands that pile up at the leader's desk, it's no surprise that
maintaining social contact with staff usually ends up pretty low on
the to-do list. Here are a few ways to make yourself more accessi-
ble and approachable in order to make sure everyone gets along.
— Compiled by David Bernard
• Board meetings. If your schedule's
packed but you like having an open-door
policy, post a dry-erase board on your
office door to let your team know when
your available times are each day. Then
they can sign up to reserve slots for dis-
cussing their issues without feeling that
they'll be interrupting phone calls or other
meetings when they drop by.
• Chat and chew. If you'd like to keep the
lines of communication with your surgeons
and staff open and active, the offer of
refreshment can often be a welcome incen-
tive. Fill a bowl on your desk or a mini-
fridge in your office with treats or cold bev-
erages and let your team know they are
welcome to them. Their visits may start
conversations or make connections that
bring previously unmentioned needs or concerns to your attention.
Innovative
Ideas
Ideas Work
That
