Whether the manager is speaking to a group, to the doctors, or to a new patient, looks count, says image consultant Sandy Dumont of The Image Architect in Norfolk, VA. And Dumont backs up her assertion with research – limited research, but research nonetheless. She recently sat in a courtroom "for hours predicting which attorneys would win based on how they looked." And each … [Read more...] about ‘Dressing for success’ at the office counts far more than you think
Your career
How to master the art of delegation
When it comes to delegating work to staff, managers rarely hit a happy medium. Instead, they tend to fall at the ends of the spectrum: those who do not delegate enough and those who delegate too much. But by far, it is the under-delegators who are greatest in number. And it is under-delegation that most causes employees to lose interest in their jobs. Lack of delegation is … [Read more...] about How to master the art of delegation
How one irritated patient can start a social media firefight
By Lynne Curry bio Here's the scenario: One of your physicians considers himself "a law unto himself." When an employee or patient protests how he treats them, he wastes no time telling the employee or patient why they are wrong or where to find the exit door. You've tried for years to get this physician to take it easier on people. No such luck. You've begged … [Read more...] about How one irritated patient can start a social media firefight
What we’re overlooking when it comes to time management
By Brady Wilson bio Many times, I've seen business leaders send their employees off to time management courses in the hopes that the training will help increase engagement and productivity. Many times, I've seen those same leaders show bewilderment when the training doesn't seem to have any impact—or worse yet, results in employees being less engaged and less … [Read more...] about What we’re overlooking when it comes to time management
Why your latest management decision failed
When making significant decisions, have you noticed how difficult it is to come to a rational decision, even with a mastery of facts and employing logical thinking? Have you noticed that at every step of the process, there are players who push back, so that even the most obvious decisions become tortured? What's going on here? Did you ignore the social space? According to … [Read more...] about Why your latest management decision failed
Just promoted to office manager? Follow these 9 critical rules to avoid problems managing former friends and colleagues
Getting promoted to office manager can be a mixed blessing. As a former staffer, the new manager comes into the job knowing the good performers, the bad performers, the shortcuts, the troublemakers—and a few secrets. But the former peers also know their new boss, including strengths, weaknesses, and what buttons to push. Along with that, they are wondering how their … [Read more...] about Just promoted to office manager? Follow these 9 critical rules to avoid problems managing former friends and colleagues
The heat is on: Six in 10 employees report increased work stress
Are your employees having trouble "keeping calm and carrying on" at work? If so, they're in the majority. More than half (52 percent) of workers said they are stressed at work on a day-to-day basis, and 60 percent reported work-related pressure has increased in the last five years, according to a new survey by staffing firm Accountemps. Their concerns are not lost on … [Read more...] about The heat is on: Six in 10 employees report increased work stress
Good news, healthcare professionals: You’re in the right industry
U.S. News & World Report has unveiled its 2017 Best Jobs report, offering a look at the year's best jobs across 15 categories—from best-paying jobs to diverse sectors like business and technology. The rankings take into account the most important aspects of a job, including growth potential, work-life balance and salary. Healthcare tops the list Healthcare jobs … [Read more...] about Good news, healthcare professionals: You’re in the right industry
Five realities of effective leadership
By Shane Carter bio In order to succeed, medical office managers must be capable in leading people. Leadership is a learned skill that when polished over time can turn managers into exceptional leaders. Polishing this skill will require your time, effort, and an understanding of five realities of effective leadership. Leadership is an action word; it's an activity … [Read more...] about Five realities of effective leadership
Why your last hire failed and how to ensure success next time
It can be exasperating. After all that time spent interviewing and onboarding, your latest hire still didn't work out and now you find yourself facing the process all over again. Why? What happened? Well, according to recent research from Robert Half, aside from poor performance, failed hires are most likely a result of a mismatched skill set. Nearly four in 10 CFOs … [Read more...] about Why your last hire failed and how to ensure success next time