relationship management
Hang the hierarchy
The range of skills and points of view that come together in general practice can prove a challenging mix to manage. GEORGE CAREY discovers how to create a harmonious group among the havoc of primary care
he numerous challenges of running a practice requires a varied skill set. These skills can broadly be divided into soft and hard skills, the former involving excellent communication, leadership, and confl ict resolution and the latter including fi nancial management and business acumen. This level of adaptability refl ects the versatility that the practice team as a whole must display with a host of different specialities, clerical and clinical, combining to make one effective unit. It’s this combination of roles and personalities that can sometimes cause issues, with physicians’ predilection for the technical, and managers’ and support staff’s focus on administrative concerns not always fi nding a harmonious middle ground. As the person responsible for merging these two sides of general practice, how can you ensure that things run smoothly? As the go-between in chief, it’s essential
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It’s essential that you build a successful working relationship with every member of the team
that you build a successful working relationship 38 october 2013
with every member of the team, which is sometimes easier said than done. Good interpersonal skills are essential to interacting with your colleagues effectively – and can make the difference between a successful practice and one that struggles to adjust to the increasing demands of primary care. Crucial to this deceptively diffi cult skill set is the ability to communicate with confi dence while actively listening to others, to make decisions and problem-solve.
A VOICE FOR EVERYONE As clichéd as it may sound, it’s important to bear in mind that there is a difference between hearing and listening, and that only by really listening to team members can you hope to create a good working environment. If you’re unsure as to whether your colleagues feel you are properly listening to their opinions, seek regular feedback, to ensure that everyone from junior receptionist
management
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