b'Sailing the 7 Cs CHIROASSISTto Success By Lori W. AllenHave you ever been white water rafting? It is a thrill-a-minuteThe key to a true culture of accountability is that EVERYONE adventure. You never know what is around the next bendin the practice is accountable. In entirely too many ofces in the river. There are rocks along the way and the path canthere is an unbalanced dynamic in which only the managers be treacherous, lled with whirlpools and waterfalls. You justhold team members accountable. But in high-performing hope to enjoy the ride and come out the other side safe andofces, team members hold themselves and each other dry. Depending on your personality, this can be a fun andaccountable for achieving their goals, for completing their job exhilarating way to blow off some steam. But in the world ofduties, and for following through on their commitments. This business, I personally prefer smooth sailing. Picture a glassyis the culture we are striving for. Team members are focused surface of water and the wind in your sails. You know what toon results together and success is sure to follow!do to get you where you want to go and you have the power to get there.So, in order to build the whole of the culture, lets take a look at each element individually and see how the pieces t together. I break it down into three distinct concepts that build on each other and work together to create the overall accountability. These three areas are: self, team, and management.Self - Everyone in the ofce must hold themselves account-able and be responsible. When staff members take owner-ship, and understand their role in the practice, they hold themselves accountable for their actions, responsibilities, and goals. They know, appreciate, and own their position, and recognize the important role they play in the practice and in the lives of the patients. Team - Your staff practices self-accountability, and they come together as a cohesive team. The best teams can identify an issue, work toward a resolution, decide on a course of action, and execute a plan to resolve the issue. They hold each other accountable, knowing that each member of the team plays I cant stress this enough: Without accountability, youran essential role in overall success. practice will go on a white water ride and it will not be fun! Systems will dissolve, and standards will break down againstManagement - When the elements of self-accountability the jagged rocks of adversity. If everyone in your ofce is notand team accountability are rmly in place, the manager is holding themselves and others accountable for their actions,in a prime position to execute her role as leader. Successful for the processes in place, and for ensuring the systems areand accountable management is specic in the expectations, followed, there will be nothing but buck-passing and chaos.clearly stating: This is WHAT I want you to do. This is Everyone in the practice, from the owner to the newestHOW I want it to be done. This is WHEN I need to have it employee, needs to step up and rise to the challenge. Thiscompleted.is the foundation of a great practice. When your entire teamAs with all important qualities of success, accountability operates through transparency and accountability, they formdoesnt just happen because you want it to. You must actively a cohesive unit focused on growth, service, and amazingwork on a daily basis to create and maintain this positive and patient outcomes. motivating atmosphere and Sailing the 7 Cs to Successful Sailing the 7 Cs to Successful Practice Management is yourPractice Management is your guide. Leave the thrill seeking, guide to the culture of accountability in every aspect ofwhirlpools and waterfalls where they belong, and smoothly you practice! sail the path to a culture of accountability. I promise, the thrill When you assign responsibility for measured result to anand exhilaration of success is even better!individual (or a clearly specied group of individuals) to create an incentive for performance, you are creating a culture of accountability. It is not just doing a job. AccountabilityLori W. Allen is a practice management expert and owner of includes the obligation to make things better, to pursueProtable Practice Strategies, a Premier Supporter of the ANJC. excellence, and to achieve results.Visit her website at http://loriwallen.com.www.njchiropractors.com I 21'