Elsevier

Dental Abstracts

Volume 62, Issue 2, March–April 2017, Pages 71-72
Dental Abstracts

The Front Office
Creating collaboration, not competition

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.denabs.2016.07.017Get rights and content

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Background

Today’s business world often focuses on hiring superstar performers—the best, the brightest, and the highest achievers. These individuals are highly touted as shining stars who will achieve great things. A study by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has found, however, that rather than “super-performers” or super-smart individuals, it is persons who can collaborate and cooperate well who produce the highest productivity. Work is a social experience and when talent pits employees

Factors

Members of successful teams are able to empathize with one another and understand others from their perspective. This social sensitivity allows team members to work more cooperatively and with care for one another.

Workers are also generous with their time, helping co-workers who are facing challenges. Priorities are balanced and everyone shows their appreciation for input from teammates and feel free to share as well.

Having more women was a common characteristic of the most successful teams in

Collaborative Environment

Cooperation and consensus building are key elements in a collaborative environment that is highly successful. When team members work together, the effect can be much greater than that with a single super-performer. Cooperation and collaboration encourage ideas to be expressed and to grow. The culture is one of helpfulness, which makes for a very successful team.

Steps to Take

Achieving this collaborative environment involves taking a few specific steps, as follows:

  • 1.

    Request the desired behaviors. Invite the team to share their ideas and ask them to help one another to improve office performance.

  • 2.

    Model what to do. Be an example of the behavior you seek. Offer helpful, insightful comments; encourage high-quality exchanges; and help the team improve on their ideas with constructive questions.

  • 3.

    Network. Create a community of people who can offer insights on problems and even

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Garlough D: Is your team a superflock? A dental team of the best and the brightest doesn’t always collaborate. RDH Mag 36:18, 20, 2016

Reprints available from D Garlough; e-mail: [email protected]

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