|
Chapter 2 |
Environment
The
Apollonia Family is a dynamic and expanding group or career minded people who
value their work environment.
This level
of Agreements helps us define the environment that we all agree to maintain in
our working lives.
|
W |
e all want certain things from our work, including of course the basics of life provided by economic security. It doesn’t stop there, however, as we of the Apollonia Family want more than a mere paycheck. We also want to enjoy our work!
|
Chapter key § Housekeeping § Safety § Organization § Stress § Punctuality § Attitude § Conflict Resolution § Financial § Team Spirit § Our Patients |
By paying attention to our working environment, we go a long way toward making sure our work day is pleasant and productive!
These are the most basic of our Agreements. We think you will immediately see the value of these Environmental Agreements.
We all want a work environment that inspires pride and pleasure in our work. These Agreements are the stepping stones toward achieving this goal. As always, your suggestions are welcome.
Housekeeping
§ We will keep our public and private work areas neat, attractive, clean, and orderly, as this is important to our public image, our self image, and to our enjoyment of our work.
§ We will keep our equipment, instruments, and materials neat, clean, and in working order, because it is important to make our work day smooth and predictable.
§ Nobody is “above” wiping a sink, picking up a floor, sweeping the hall, washing a window, filling a paper towel dispenser, printing a few extra forms, or even (*gasp*) wiping off a toilet! Get in the habit of cleaning as you “go”. It only takes a second, and what else are you going to do while you are in there?
Safety
§ We will maintain a safe working environment for ourselves and for all members of our Apollonia Family, because we care.
If it has spit on it, don’t bring it up front.. Germs and paper don’t mix.!!! |
§ We will maintain a strict separation between clinical (and therefore potentially infectious) and administrative (paper and money). Remember, the administrative team members do not have the knowledge, training, or protective clothing to prevent cross-contamination.
§ We will think about the safety of others who share our workplace, and avoid leaving hazards in the path of others.
Organization
§ Our working environment will be well organized to minimize stress and wasted effort. If we have a few minutes in the day, a good way to spend it is to organize our work space.
If you haven’t written it down… you have no right to expect it to happen. |
§ We will write things down when we want others to remember or do something. We all receive an overload of verbal communication, and cannot possibly remember even important things unless they are permanently written. This frees our attention to doing, not remembering.
§ We will use our journals to write down notes to ourselves, and to record our progress in learning (actually these are the same thing in most cases).
§ We will keep notebooks and logbooks for commonly repeated “post-it” notes.
The
key device contains a “first aid cross” representing care for
others, along with a “double circle” in the key handle representing the
marriage of administrative (business) skill with clinical (dental) skill. The
Key device is used in the company marketing materials as the “key to dental health”,
and also internally, e.g. "unlock the potential in your dental
career" etc.
Additionally, company achievement awards are fashioned in the shape of the key, and bearing precious metal stones that signify rank and stature.
Stress
§ Stress is caused by expectations not fulfilled. We will strive to keep our commitments to each other, and to avoid promises we cannot keep.
§ Stress is caused by not knowing what to do in a given circumstance. We will strive to learn the common challenges we face in our daily lives and to work out systematic solutions.
Don’t contribute to information clutter! |
§ Stress is caused by too much input from too many sources. If it doesn’t have to be talked about now, write it down and talk about it at a quieter time later.
§ Stress is caused by having to remember. We will make the effort to write down our day to day notes, requests, questions, and messages, rather than ask somebody to use their effort to remember them.
§ Stress is caused by reinventing the wheel. We will keep a written collection of the challenges we face, and the solutions we found, both to serve our own reference, and to help others who have not yet faced the same challenge.
§ Stress is caused by making decisions. We will strive to make decisions once, then write down the decision to reduce the need for future decisions.
§ In times of stress, we will be "ducks" --- calm above water, though paddling like mad underneath!
§ We will maintain a peaceful and relaxed demeanor.
§ If we see or find a challenge, we MUST present it along with at least one solution. Extra credit for coming up with two or more possible solutions!
Punctuality
§ We will maintain an environment of predictability and respect for other team members’ time by being punctual in our work schedules, meetings, and career development times.
Be on time to make more time! |
§ If we cannot be where and when we are supposed to be, we will arrange to let our team leader know, and will arrange a backup if possible.
Attitude
§ We will maintain a positive attitude at work. We know that our attitude affects others directly, so we are careful not to bring negative “baggage” in with us.
§ We will play "all out" and give 100% of our attention when at work.
§ We will respect the effect our mood has on others. The more energy we contribute to the attitude of our team, the less others will have to contribute to maintain the same level of enthusiasm.
Our Attitude determines our altitude! |
§ We will strive to increase our energy and cheerfulness by focusing on the positive. We will not drain energy away from others by forcing them to “cheer us up”.
§ When faced with a challenge or difficulty, we will share it with others in an attempt to reach a better outcome. We will use language of opportunity.
§ We will maintain an environment of generosity and gratitude for the contributions of other team members.
§ We will take responsibility for our own actions and omissions.
Conflict Resolution
§ If we have a challenge with the behavior of another team member, we will care enough about the person involved to redirect the behavior privately with them. We will not involve others until the challenge has been directly addressed (unless we feel uncomfortable or intimidated by the other person).
When you set your goals high conflicts are inevitable as everyone seeks the best way to achieve the goal! How you respond is more important than ever. |
§ If private redirection is not successful or if we feel uncomfortable, we will ask for a three-way discussion, in private, with the person involved and the closest “common coach” to us.
§ We will not “subgroup” or talk about a third person, unless we have invited that person to the conversation and they have declined.
§ We are committed to, and will maintain an atmosphere which encourages open and honest communication, through safety and empathy.
Financial
§ We will maintain a spirit and environment of economic abundance around us, so that all who join our team can find prosperity in their work and home life. Scarcity is for losers. Abundance is where we are.
§ We will count our own money, not that of others.
Money derives from helping others!
|
§ We maintain an environment of openness and candor about financial relationships and the economics of our working lives.
§ We will maintain personal financial privacy.
§ We will take accountability for our own prosperity or lack.
§ We will have no secrets about how the Apollonia Family earns and expends its financial resources.
Team Spirit
§ We will maintain an environment of team oriented candor, where everyone is included and team spirit prevails.
§ We welcome team discussion of our areas of work responsibility.
§ We are a team, and will remind ourselves that everybody else is trying the best they can.
§ We will constantly strive to improve the knowledge and abilities of ourselves first and others second.
A Team wins with coordinated effort! |
§ We will refrain from criticism (unless privately directed to the person involved).
§ We are team players when we are at work.
§ If we compete at work, we do so to inspire overall team performance.
§ We have no individual goals in the Apollonia Family, only a desire to make a greater contribution to the team endeavor.
Our Patients
§ We will surround ourselves with thankful patients.
We will only treat friends! |
§ We will treat each patient as we would a member of our own family, and will expect the same back from them.
§ We will keep our spirits up by performing each procedure to a level that will raise our pride and show on each others’ faces.
§ We will maintain an environment of mutual trust and respect by treatment planning for each patient the most appropriate plan for their individual needs, taking into account their own personal priorities and desires.
§ We will focus our attention and our conversation on the patient.
§ We will keep private personal conversations to a minimum (except during actual treatment, where the purpose is to distract).
§ We will NEVER have a business or job training discussion in front of a patients, unless it for the purpose of improving THAT PATIENT’S quality of care.
§ We will NEVER tell an off color or offensive joke in front of a patient (although we can politely redirect them when they offer the same).
§ Reports of other patients are appropriate (first or last name only!), and never say “waiting for you” rather “ready for you”.