• Magazine
    • Past Issues
    • Subscribe
    • Change Mailing Address
    • Surveys
    • Guidelines for Authors
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Editorial Deadlines
  • Practice
    • Business Tips
    • Chiropractic Schools
    • Clinical & Technique
    • eBooks
    • eCourses
    • Infographics
    • Quizzes
    • Wellness & Nutrition
    • Personal Growth
    • Podcast
  • Resource Centers
  • Products & Services
    • Buyer’s Guide
    • Products Directory
    • Submit a Product
    • Vendor Login
  • Datebook
    • Become an Events Poster
    • Post an Event
    • View Events
  • Jobs
    • Jobs
    • Post a Job
  • Advertise
    • Advertising Information
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Upload Advertising

Your Online Chiropractic Community

Chiropractic Economics Your Online Chiropractic Community
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • News
  • Webinars
  • Chiropractic Research
  • Students
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19)

The secret for happy patients and staff

Student DC March 19, 2019

happy

What does this mean? To explain, consider the case of a promise to a young child – your child or someone else’s. Say you promised a child to take her to the movies on Saturday. To this child, that promise is sacred. If you can’t make good on your promise, you are likely to hear, “You lied!”

A promise to an adult is just as sacred. When you make a statement to someone in your practice – a patient, a staff member, a colleague – you have set up an expectation that you must fulfill or suffer the consequences. So don’t make promises you aren’t absolutely certain you can fulfill; that is, under-promise.

The trick is to do what is called, “managing expectations.” If you don’t make promises, people don’t have expectations that you will fulfill these promises. Then when you do something more than they expect, you are over-delivering, and they are thrilled.

For example, if you promise a new patient that they will see relief from their pain in 5 visits, come the 5th visit, if you haven’t relieved their pain, you’re in danger of losing that patient. You haven’t managed that person’s expectations. But let’s say on the first visit you say to a patient, “We’re going to work together to get you more comfortable as soon as possible. Are you in this with me?” Now you have created an expectation of “comfort” and you have also put half of the burden of expectation on the patient, and you can remind the person of your mutual commitment.

In another example, promising your staff an increase next year, “if things improve here in the office,” isn’t going to get you any loyal supporters in your employees. Come next year, they’ll be looking for that raise. The fact that you haven’t defined how “things” will “improve” won’t impress them; they’ll figure you owe it to them. Better to either lay out the details of an incentive package based on measurable practice goal, or surprise employees with that big bonus.

If you don’t make empty promises, two positive things will happen:
1. People will see that you can be trusted. They will know that when you do make a promise, they can count on you to fulfill it.

2. People won’t expect anything, and your actions will surprise and impress them. You will be over-delivering.

We all have a natural tendency to be liked, so we rush to make promises, hoping that our listeners will be impressed. It’s better to keep quiet, let your actions impress people, and save your promises for marriage and contracts.

Related Posts

  • Chiropractic for ear infections: How you can help this chronic conditionChiropractic for ear infections: How you can help this chronic condition
  • The case for CBD water soluble bioavailabilityThe case for CBD water soluble bioavailability
  • 5 lessons from 5 years in practice5 lessons from 5 years in practice
  • [Case Study] Chiropractic’s influence on panic attacks[Case Study] Chiropractic’s influence on panic attacks
  • Go mobile with a portable chiropractic tableGo mobile with a portable chiropractic table
  • Patient awareness: Spotting signs of abusePatient awareness: Spotting signs of abuse

Filed Under: Career Development, Student DC

Current Issue

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube logoYouTube logoYouTube

820 A1A N Highway W18,

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

Phone 904.285.6020

Fax 904.395.9118

CONTACT US »

Privacy Policy & Terms of Service

Copyright © 2021, All Rights Reserved

SUBSCRIBE TO THE MAGAZINE

Get Chiropractic Economics magazine
delivered to your home or office. Just
fill out our form to request your FREE
subscription for 20 issues a year,
including two annual Buyers Guides.

SUBSCRIBE NOW »

Latest Chiropractic News

  • Colorado allows chiropractors to give COVID-19 vaccine shots
  • American Chiropractic Association lauds U.S. Congress passing fair competition health legislation
    The American Chiropractic Association (ACA) lauded the U.S. Congress for passing legislation that will promote fair competition in health...
  • Logan University debuts new health center
    Logan University logo
x