Dr. Tom PrestonHey, Coach Frazer here from Full Circle Coaching and Consulting. Today, we're tackling a challenging yet crucial topic for chiropractic practice owners: when and how to make the difficult decision of letting an associate go. This process is often uncomfortable and not well-executed in the chiropractic field, largely due to our nature as healers and the lack of formal training in human resources.
Why It's Hard to Let Associates Go
The core of the issue lies in the relational aspect of our profession. We're in the business of caring, making it inherently difficult to sever professional ties. However, the key to making informed decisions lies in setting clear, measurable performance indicators and standard operating procedures.
Strategies for Effective Management
Define Metrics and Performance Indicators: Stop relying solely on the feel of the relationship and start measuring performance against defined metrics.
Develop Outcome Assessments: Create documents that outline what excellence looks like in the role. Conduct regular reviews (quarterly or bi-annually) to assess performance.
Establish Clear Values: When an associate violates the core values of your practice, it's a clear sign that they may not be the right fit.
Set Structured Goals: If an associate consistently fails to meet their targets, despite having a supportive marketing plan and realistic goals, it may be time to part ways.
Conclusion
Letting an associate go should never be a personal issue but a business decision based on clear, predefined criteria. By frontloading the process with clear expectations and regular assessments, you can ensure that such decisions are fair, objective, and ultimately in the best interest of your practice.
For more insights on managing your chiropractic practice and ensuring team alignment with your practice's goals, subscribe to our channel and stay tuned for more tips and strategies.
Business Training
