What happens when the overwhelming case load, staffing shortages, and client stress clashes with your personal life? You are not alone. For over 30 years, the VHMA has worked to offer support and education for those in your unique role. This podcast is designed to tackle the universal issues that keep you up at night.

I’m Debbie Hill and today’s episode is about team morale in these unprecedented and turbulent times. Today’s guest is Susan Driever who is a manager in the Houston area. She and her husband own a practice together and they are also raising a family in the midst of new challenges. Susan has some fabulous ideas and inspiration in helping managers boost team morale. What can we do as leaders to ensure that our team feels supported?

 

Show Notes:

[1:15] - Susan Driever is a manager in the Houston area who owns a practice with her husband. She is also raising a family during this stressful and turbulent time.

[1:54] - Something important to keep in mind during this time is that everyone’s world has been turned upside down. All of our routines have been thrown out the window and we’ve had to make major changes.

[3:07] - Having to go curbside has made the profession feel somewhat detached when normally it has a very personal feel. Frontline staff are used to building relationships with clients and that has been a challenging shift.

[4:30] - Sometimes work is an employee’s safe place. Everyone’s situation is different and as a leader, Susan checks on her team consistently to make sure that employees get an opportunity to reset.

[5:39] - Susan explains a decision she made as a leader to be sure that her team members had time off to recharge. 

[6:19] - Paid time off is often viewed as too costly, but it is best not to wait till your team is in dire need of a break to offer that kind of support.

[7:31] - Susan set aside some after hour time to sit in the lobby with her team and let them vent. That connection with each other through shared trauma is powerful.

[9:29] - The little gestures make a big impact and send a supportive message. Things as simple as an ice cream day could boost morale substantially.

[11:45] - Susan shares a story about giving a new task to a particularly creative team member that sparked new creativity and re-energized her.

[13:30] - Another manager had the idea of encouraging team members to share their wildest experiences of the day with each other and whoever has the wildest one wins a small prize. This encourages team members to vent and communicate their feelings through shared camaraderie.

[15:10] - Susan is excited about the idea of using a dry erase board as a praise board where she will pick an employee for team members to share encouragement and support. That sense of community is so important.

[16:07] - Some leaders forget that their role is to boost other people and to teach them how to praise each other.

[17:11] - The thank you that you get as a manager is not what you will expect. You need to find your own “thank you” in seeing your team succeed.

 

Thank you for listening. Remember you are not in this alone. Visit our website for more resources.

 

Links and Resources:

 

• VHMA Web Page

 

• VHMA Coronavirus Resources
• VHMA Facebook
• VHMA Twitter
• VHMA on Linkedin
• Susan Driever - Animal Hospital Highway 6
• Animal Hospital Highway 6 Facebook

 

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