Dentaltown December 2024 - 8

HOWARD SPEAKS
DR. HOWARD
The Four Horsemen of Turnover
I
f you're losing good people, it's
almost guaranteed that one (or
more) of these Four Horsemen of
Turnover is at play in your practice.
In a 2023 Gallup survey, 97% of
employees who quit a job did so due
to one of these issues. Th is isn't theory.
It's a fact. If your team is a revolving
door, it's time to face these issues
head-on.
Horseman #1: engagement
and culture (41%)
Nearly half of all employees leave
because they don't fi nd purpose or
connection in their workplace. Your
team doesn't just want a job-they
want a place they're actually excited to
show up to every day.
Now, ask yourself: Is your practice
that place? Or is your culture non-existent,
with low morale and people
simply going through the motions?
Without a positive culture, people will
check out. Th ey may still clock in, but
you're not getting their best, and eventually,
they'll clock out for good.
Patients see this instability, too.
Imagine a patient walking in and
seeing new faces every few months,
assistants and hygienists they don't
recognize or a front desk team that's
constantly rotating. It doesn't exactly
inspire trust or confi dence, does it?
Horseman #2: well-being and
work-life balance (28%)
People simply won't stay where their
health and happiness suff er. Dentistry
is demanding-there's no doubt about
that. But if you're running your team
into the ground, don't be surprised
when they fi nd somewhere else to work
that respects their boundaries and
well-being. When was the last time you
talked to your staff about their workloads,
about what would make their
day-to-day experience better? If you
can't remember, it's time to start. Th e
reality is that burnout isn't just bad for
them-it's bad for business.
Horseman #3: pay
and benefi ts (16%)
You can't pay peanuts and expect
loyalty. It's not enough to say you're
off ering " competitive wages. " Competitive
in today's market means up to
date, not fi ve-year-old pay scales that
worked before infl ation shot up.
Good people know their value, and
if you're not paying them what they're
worth, someone else will. Yes, infl ation
has made costs go up. But if you think
scrimping on pay is saving you money,
think again-it's costing you more to
constantly hire, train and lose people.
You're better off paying reliable team
members a little more to keep them
satisfi ed and committed. It's a smart
investment, not a burden.
Horseman #4: managers
and leaders (12%)
Th e fi nal horseman may be the hardest
to face. A poor manager or unskilled
leader is a surefi re way to lose good
people. Some turnover stems directly
from employees who leave because
they don't feel respected or supported
by those at the top.
If you're running things the same
way you did a decade ago, or if your
management style is " my way or the
DECEMBER 2024 | 8 | DENTALTOWN.COM
FARRAN, DDS, MBA
Founder and CEO
highway, " then take a good look in the
mirror. Stubborn, outdated management
styles are pushing people away.
Today's workforce values leaders who
listen, who adapt, who build up their
team. If you can't or won't change your
leadership approach, be prepared for
the fallout.
Micromanagement, rigidity, lack
of support-these aren't just minor
fl aws. Th ey're reasons people walk out
the door. Being a leader means more
than giving orders. It means creating
an environment where people feel
empowered and respected.
Defeating the Horsemen
Th e bottom line is that if you're seeing
high turnover, these four horsemen are
your most likely culprits. Stop pointing
fi ngers and start taking control.
Build a culture people want to be part
of. Respect work-life balance. Pay your
people what they're worth. Lead with
purpose and respect. Because if you're
not addressing these four horsemen,
you're just waiting for the next good
employee to ride off into the sunset. DT
See Howard Live!
Dentaltown founder Dr. Howard Farran,
known for engaging dentists worldwide
through his columns and podcasts, is
now taking his presentations on the
road. He will speak live on Jan. 25, 2025,
at the Waukesha County Dental Society
in Wisconsin.
To book Howard for your event, contact
Rebecca Wheeler at 480-341-9777 or
rebecca@farranmedia.com.
http://www.DENTALTOWN.COM
Dentaltown December 2024

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