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Show Notes

680: Staff Management vs. Team Leadership – Dr Jim McKee

Have you ever thought that you need a better way to lead and manage your people? How do you even go about finding the right people? That’s what this episode is all about. The guest is Dr. Jim McKee, a Spear Resident Faculty member, lecturer, author, educator, and mentor to Kirk. You’ll hear about why the right team is key to the success of your business and the difference between management and leadership. Jim shares his tips on team leadership and the one ‘magic question’ he asks every employee. This episode highlights the importance of fostering a positive and collaborative work environment through effective leadership and well-defined systems in business practices.

Episode Resources:

• Subscribe to The Best Practices Show podcast 
• Join ACT’s To The Top Study Club 
• See ACT’s Live Events Schedule 
• Get The Best Practices Magazine for free! 
• Rate and review the podcast on iTunes 
• Dr. McKee’s Facebook Page

Main Takeaways

• Understanding the Financial Impact: Dr. Jim McKee emphasizes that a significant portion of a business’s expenses goes towards employee wages. Acknowledging this financial aspect is crucial for business owners.
• Shift from Management to Leadership: Traditional staff management is considered outdated. Today, the focus is on team leadership, creating a collaborative environment where everyone strives for excellence rather than a hierarchical, autocratic approach. 
• Recognizing Strengths and Weaknesses: Acknowledging that every team member, including business owners, has strengths and weaknesses. The goal is to amplify the positives and minimize the negatives to enhance overall practice performance.
• Positive Reinforcement: Encourage a positive work environment by recognizing and praising employees for what they do right, fostering a culture of appreciation rather than just pointing out mistakes. 
• Team Leadership Through Systems: Dr. McKee emphasizes the importance of creating effective systems within the practice. These systems serve as guidelines, making it easier to identify and correct deviations when things go off track. 
• The Power of the “Are You Happy Here?” Question: Asking employees about their job satisfaction is a powerful way to gauge their engagement. This question serves as a starting point for discussions on how to improve and ensure mutual satisfaction. 
• Systematic Approach to Position Roles: Dr. McKee suggests outlining responsibilities for each position in the office and establishing clear guidelines on how tasks should be handled. This systematic approach facilitates effective team management. 

Quotes:

“As a business owner,  when you look at your profit and loss statement,  the largest percentage of money going out the door is going to the people that work for you.” [2:42 – 2:52]

“Staff management is kind of the old term, where it’s autocratic, where you’re the boss and they are the servants.