The Best Compliment I Could Receive As A Practice Owner

Pictured (from left to right):-Skyler Moore, Registered mental health counseling intern-Colleen Hentz, LCSW-QS-Victoria Doiron, LMHC, EMDR trained-Leeanna Mantica, MS, ATR-Reina Lombardi, ATR-BC, ATCS, LMHC-QS, owner & founder-Amanda Kranich, Registered mental health counseling intern-Liza Jean Meyers, Administrative Assistant-Alaina Loomis, MS, LMHC, EMDR trained Not pictured (in alphabetical order):-Amy Strom, LCSW-QS-Chelsea Darling, MA, ATR-P, NCC, Registered mental health counselor intern, EMDR trained-Malissa Maki, LCSW-QS-Michelle Sanfilipo, MA, Registered mental health counseling intern

The Best Compliment I Could Receive As a Practice Owner

When I first began my entrepreneurial journey, I thought I would be flying solo. I found myself in the role of leading a small team within a year of opening. That team, still small, has grown to a current team of 11. I didn't really know how to be a leader, but I knew I could learn. 

Part of the work I do on my business is reading books, listening to podcasts, or watching videos about business administration and leadership. This was necessary in order to support a team of people. 

As I grow the practice, I work hard at ensuring each decision made in the business aligns with my values. Empowerment, autonomy, creativity and growth are paramount. Collaboration, responsiveness and support are integrated within each of the primary values.

In what ways can I be responsive or supportive so that a member of the team can grow and feel empowered in their role? In what ways can I create opportunities for collaboration within the team to promote creativity? 

This past week, I received a lengthy email by a therapist at the practice regarding some things she would like to discuss and have addressed in the meeting we had scheduled.

When I got the email, the inner critic voice piped up with all kinds of "not enough" thoughts as I read through her agenda. I immediately did some diaphragmatic breathing and refuted the non-sense that inner critic was spouting off. Then I printed out the agenda for our meeting and kept going on with my day. 

I really had to work at reminding myself that this list was not a criticism of me or what I am doing, but rather an opportunity for us both. For me to grow in my role as a leader, and for her to be supported in what she needs to be successful within the practice. 

When we met, we went through the list line-by-line. Things that could be addressed with immediacy, I did so in the moment. Things that needed to be addressed with the team, I added to my agenda for our team meeting which happened to be scheduled for later that day. Things I needed to time to address, I added to my task list and explained that time was needed to adequately attend to them. 

The following day, she, another therapist in the practice and I were casually chatting. The conversation shifted to how much they both appreciate the way in which I have structured the practice and how I listen and respond to their ideas and requests.

She said, "I have never worked anywhere where I have taken my thoughts and concerns to leadership and have them not only listened to, but immediate action is taken to address them." 

That brought tears to my eyes. It confirmed that the inner critic was dead wrong (which I knew intellectually), and that the leadership qualities I value are being reflected in my actions. 

It was the best compliment I could hope to receive as a leader.