Why Does Your Staff Work?

At first glance the answer to the question seems simple, because they need / want a job to earn money to live. But a recent experience by a Doctor CEO provided a far different picture. He asked the question at a recent staff meeting and ended up hearing from all present. There was a lot of involvement by everyone. His experience could be an eye opener for many doctors. He learned that there is a significant number of his staff that value the work place itself and enjoy the patient care or administration tasks that make it all work. They wanted to know what worked and to refine what was they did. He found that others were motivated less by what was occurring at the practice than the personal growth they felt at moving up in responsibility over time. Others valued the staff as a kind of family and support group and were happy working there. If they were not happy at the practice they would leave. Most, of course, worked as an end to the means to provide for their family and meet responsibilities, and for some it was virtually all about compensation and benefits. The amazing thing is that with the conversations at the meeting the Doctor CEO was able to more fully understand what motivated each staff person and so begin to tailor their work and what would motivate each on an individual level. I'd like to suggest that more Doctor CEO's have the same conversations with their staff. Let me know the results!