Who’s Running
The Show?
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Whether managing a dental clinic or running a circus,
it’s essential to have the right “iringmaster"
We have to admit that no matter how successful our
dental practice may be, we’ve all been part of the
“cirCUS.” The true success under the “Big Top” depends on
the ringmaster and like the “Big Top” show, our clinics require
a ringmaster (practice manager or military equivalent
Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge [NCOIC]) to manage
all the circus acts. This person manages the performance,
introduces the various acts and expertly guides the audience
through the entertainment experience while maintaining
the smooth flow of the show, or at least the appearance of
it. Imagine if your circus (clinic) was not portrayed successfully,
ticket sales could plummet and the well-known phrase
may seem more like “the show mustn’t go on.” The audience
may even consider traveling to another venue.
Choosing the right person to wear the “top hat” is vital. So
how do you determine if a potential ringmaster is the right fit
for your circus? Whoever manages your clinic must possess
genuine loyalty to the success of the clinic in the same way a
ringmaster is invested in the success of a show. This can only
be measured by how effective a person is at juggling the four
basic rules that are conducive to managing the “clinic circus.”
An acrobat shouldn’t tame the lions. Not only is it imperative
to select the right ringmaster, it is also imperative that
the ringmaster pairs the right performers to the appropriate
acts. Selection of team members who interact with your
“audience” is a critical aspect. If the audience isn’t pleased,
they may take their business elsewhere. Auditions are used
to choose the right people who will impress the audience. I
firmly believe it’s having the right people at the right place at
the right time that matters. It is also the ringmasters job to
handle the not-so-favorable attractions while juggling the
entire circus. Sometimes it is necessary to remove practices
or even people who are not working out well. A successful
ringmaster excels at identifying, selecting, developing and
retaining talent.
Don't fall Off the tightrope. The importance ofbalancing
the entire operation, like staying on the tightrope, is a critical
aspect of the ringmaster s job. Superb multitasking skills are
essential, as well as thoughtful delegation. The paramount
discussion about the circus is that its pageantry is true and
genuine. If it isn’t true and genuine, the audience will surely
know because they are watching every moment. There is no
one simple way of scheduling that works for everyone. The
“art” of effective performance control is unique to each person.
Management of personnel is a never-ending task.
No matter what form of delivery one considers, some
manner of management is required. Sometimes people
need to be reminded of their cues and sometimes they need
more practice before they can be allowed to take over a task.
In order to keep things running smoothly and achieve the
highest quality of performance out of your team, management
of personnel is an integral part of the organization.