November 2007

Book explores workplace motivation

A new book by Douglas Walker and Stephen Sorkin wasn't written specifically for chiropractors, but many DCs are finding that its principles can be applied successfully to their practices to enhance patient care, attract new patients and motivate office workers.

"A‑HA! Performance: Building and Managing a Self‑Motivated Workforce," is perfect for those doctors who are great at what they do, but want to gain or increase their basic human motivation management tools.

Successfully building and managing a self‑motivated workforce requires an awareness and a skill set far different from the expertise in chiropractic that doctors acquire in college. Attracting and retaining a top notch CA and other office workers, and continually improving their performance requires a strong focus on the vested interests of employees.

"A‑HA! Performance" outlines the eight Intrinsic Motivation Points (IMPs) that drive human performance and reveals a powerful alternative to carrot‑and‑stick motivation. Achieving better results or maintaining desired results in an ever‑changing environment requires an engaged and self‑motivated workforce, one that will go the extra mile because its members want to, not because they fear the stick, or because they want the carrot, but because doing and achieving makes them feel good.

Getting other people to do the right thing, in the right time frame, with the right attitude is what makes success so challenging in chiropractic practices, as in any business.

Between what leaders ask of people and what they get from them is a series of internal steps, a thought process based on the eight IMPs. "A‑HA! Performance" reveals that process and how to leverage those IMPs to energize performance and lead to better results.

The book provides the insight and information needed for building and leading a self‑motivated workforce, showing how to manage employees, peers, bosses, and patients in ways that encourage buy‑in and disarm resistance.

As a result, doctors can enhance patient care by motivating patients to act on the care given, and spread the word based on results; build their practices by getting buy‑in from prospective patients and getting their buy‑in to long term‑care.

Although only in print since this summer, the book has become a popular title at amazon.com, where readers have rated it an average five out of five stars. Health care professionals seem particularly interested in the book, since it provides valuable training in areas normally overlooked in school. Daniel Friedland, MD, Author of "Evidence‑Based Medicine: A Framework for Clinical Practice," praised the book, saying, "So much stress arises out of the frustration that comes when we fail to meet our deepest needs. By helping the reader identify and understand the core of fulfillment, 'A‑ha! Performance' may well be more than a book on motivation, but also a prescription for good health!"

William Glasser, MD, President and Founder, William Glasser Institute and author of "Choice Theory, Reality Therapy" agrees that the book, with its "humor, creativity and great insight" is helpful for all managers. "Managers who both follow his suggestions and teach them to those they manage," Glasser writes, "will be rewarded with a happy and profitable workplace. And do it at less cost than the company is spending now."

The book is available through bookstores or online book outlets.