Lighten Up: Make your staff meetings more productive

PHOENIX, ARIZ. — Veterinary medicine is stressful. The workday is filled with responsibilities, decision-making and time constraints. Staff meetings can be extremely stressful, especially when they turn into gripe sessions. Humor will help alleviate stress, and the result is a more productive meeting.

Dr. Stephen Bishop

Here's a way to make staff meetings less stressful by injecting a bit of humor. It involves two simple aids to help keep meetings from turning into complaint sessions and the presenters focused.

The first: Nerf balls in different colors are dispensed to all staff members. If an individual talks off the subject or becomes negative, all staff members will "Nerf" the offending employee or doctor. The employees enjoy throwing objects and this always results in laughter.

The second object is "hand clappers" that are passed out during the meetings. These are inexpensive and can be purchased at any toy store. They are used to applaud individuals who have been recognized for accomplishments.

You also might try developing a "Laugh-Out-Loud" program, perhaps using a daily joke board and providing a punching bag and basketball hoop in the lounge.

Humor and fun can increase camaraderie, encourage productivity, improve team building and eventually improve overall attitude in the practice.

To view a listing of Web sites, books and articles that you can use to "Lighten Up!" your practice, visit www.vlg.us and click on "VLG in the News."

Tip from:

Dr. Stephen Bishop

Animal Care Hospital

Phoenix, Ariz.