Management Essentials

The Employee Dating Cycle

By Farrell “Toby” Tyson, MD, FACS

No, this article is not what you think. I’m not talking about employees dating each other (or you dating someone you employ). Instead, we are going to discuss the life cycle of our employees, which actually is just like dating, marriage and sometimes, divorce. If you understand the ground rules and how to play the game with realistic expectations, you can be successful and happy in both situations.

Courting “The One”

Trying to hire employees is very similar to our own attempts at dating. The potential employee is trying to attract you with skills, personality and experience. At the same time, you are trying to sell a positive image of your practice. There is actually a ritualized courtship that goes on between employer and applicant, and practices that have this perfected have a higher probability of attracting and hiring the best staff.

Sometimes, it just doesn’t click between an applicant and employer. In these situations, it is best to be polite — the applicant’s friend might decide to apply also and be the perfect candidate. Be realistic about your expectations. Perfection does not exist. We need to hire the staff whose faults we can live with and whose assets most fill the needs of the practice. Always look at a resume for a track record. Is the person a long-term commitment individual or a chronic practice hopper?

When you have made the decision on who is “the one,” you need to give a proper proposal. While most cultures have embraced the wedding ring as a symbol of commitment, employers should provide candidates with a written offer of employment that states wages, benefits, hours and expectations. The document reassures both parties about the nature of the relationship.

The Honeymoon Phase

During the honeymoon period, the new employee usually can do no wrong. They are excited, motivated and hard working. The things that attracted you to this individual are what make them a success. Over time, however, this euphoria starts to wear off. The reality of life sets in and what used to impress you is now expected every day. Most employees just can’t keep this up all day long, seven days a week. Administration and doctors need to realize that no one is perfect.

Successful practices have learned how to best use their employees’ strengths and minimize their weaknesses through proper placement in the organization. They set staff up to succeed. Just as in a successful marriage, life in a practice needs to have change and excitement. This needs to be tailored to the individual — some need goals, others need responsibility and others need education. Stagnation and boredom will get you into trouble in any relationship.

Breaking Up

Over 50% of marriages end in divorce. The rate of working more than five years in an ophthalmology practice is considerably worse. Usually what attracted you to an individual, or what drew an employee to you is what makes the relationship intolerable. If problems can’t be overcome through counseling, then separation or termination is inevitable. The tone of the divorce can be either civil or detrimental, but it is in the employer’s best interest for the break-up to be performed in a professional and non-demeaning fashion. There is a practice for every employee, but it just might not be yours.

Sometimes ex-employees find out that the grass is not always greener on the other side. This can be a growth experience and a maturity builder. Rehiring such an individual must come with caution, but they may also be a true cheer-leader for your practice. However, if the situation falls apart a second time, there should be no third.

Look at life from the glass-half-full perspective. Almost 50% of marriages last a lifetime. In ophthalmology practices that provide a fun, financially rewarding and fair place to work, individuals tend to stick around. These long term, part-of-the-family employees are worth their weight in gold, because they believe in the practice and truly take pride in its success and growth. OM

Farrell C. Tyson, MD, FACS, is a refractive cataract/glaucoma eye surgeon at the Cape Coral Eye Center in Florida. He may be reached at tysonfc@hotmail.com.