Language matters. It sets the tone for how we perceive and treat one another. If you’re still referring to the people are your practice as “staff,” it’s time to make a change.
“Staff” is clinical, detached, and frankly, a bit infectious in how it undermines the true essence of your team. There’s a reason it sounds like “staph (as in, infection)!” Instead, let's call them what they truly are—your TEAM.
Team (v): A group of people who work together in order to achieve something.
Your team isn't just a collection of people clocking in and out; they're the heartbeat of your practice. They're your allies, your comrades-in-arms, your backbone. These are people you trust and who trust you—so why refer to them as mere "staff?”
Letting your team know that you see them for everything they are will affirm everything they do. And the best part is that all you need to do is change one word in your vocabulary. Here’s a crash course for how to make mindful language part of your practice.
It’s time to get rid of the staff infection at your practice!
Kirk Behrendt is a renowned consultant and speaker in the dental industry, known for his expertise in helping dentists create better practices and better lives. With over 30 years of experience in the field, Kirk has dedicated his professional life to optimizing the best systems and practices in dentistry. Kirk has been a featured speaker at every major dental meeting in the United States. His company, ACT Dental, has consistently been ranked as one of the top dental consultants in Dentistry Today's annual rankings for the past 10 years. In addition, ACT Dental was named one of the fastest-growing companies in the United States by Inc Magazine, appearing on their Inc 5000 list. Kirk's motivational skills are widely recognized in the dental industry. Dr. Peter Dawson of The Dawson Academy has referred to Kirk as "THE best motivator I have ever heard." Kirk has also assembled a trusted team of advisor experts who work with dentists to customize individual solutions that meet their unique needs. When he's not motivating dentists and their teams, Kirk enjoys coaching his children's sports teams and spending time with his amazing wife, Sarah, and their four children, Kinzie, Lily, Zoe, and Bo.
