CATEGORY 88 AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST In today’s workplace, the role of a manager has never been more critical – or more complex. Whether you are a business owner, practice principal or practice manager, your ability to lead effectively directly influences team performance, culture and long-term success. With ongoing workforce shortages, rising operational costs and continued economic uncertainty, leaders are being asked to do more with less. Teams are expected to deliver stronger results while remaining engaged, motivated and loyal. It’s a delicate balancing act – and the manager juggling skills sit at the centre of it. What is manager core skillet now? Manager effectiveness is not defined by title or tenure. It’s the combination of behaviours, skills and leadership traits that enable someone to guide a team productively and sustainably. An excellent manager will navigate these goals (and then some): u Drive performance while maintaining engagement u Set clear goals and hold people accountable u Create positive, collaborative team environments u Model the behaviours they expect from others u Build trust through consistency and fairness Put simply, strong management is one of the most influential factors in workplace success. When managers lead well, productivity increases, morale improves and retention strengthens. When they don’t, even the best teams can struggle. Listening: The foundation of strong leadership One of the most underestimated leadership skills is listening. Effective managers do not simply give direction – they actively seek feedback. Encouraging team members to share ideas, concerns and suggestions creates a culture of openness and psychological safety. When employees feel heard, they feel valued. And when they feel valued, engagement increases. Listening also provides leaders with practical insight. Frontline employees often identify inefficiencies, patient concerns or workflow improvements long before leadership does. A manager who listens is a manager who learns. Trust: The cornerstone of retention In a competitive labour market, trust is currency. Employees follow leaders they believe are competent, fair and consistent. Trust is built in small, everyday actions: u Credibility – Do what you say you will do. If you promise development opportunities or changes, follow through. u Respect – Equip your team with the tools, time and support they need to succeed. u Fairness – Make balanced decisions, especially regarding promotions, workload and recognition. Without trust, engagement erodes quickly. With it, teams remain resilient – even during change. Clear communication & goal setting Communication is the backbone of management effectiveness. Clarity eliminates confusion and sets performance expectations. One practical framework leaders can adopt is the SMART goal model: u Specific – Clearly defined objectives u Measurable – Tangible metrics to track progress u Attainable – Realistic and achievable targets u Relevant – Aligned with broader business goals u Time-based – Clear deadlines When goals are well structured, teams stay focused and accountable. Ambiguity, on the other hand, leads to frustration and underperformance. Regular feedback – both formal and informal – also ensures team members understand where they stand and how they can improve. Recognition: A powerful motivator Recognition is often overlooked, yet it remains one of the strongest drivers of engagement. Acknowledging effort and performance does not always require financial incentives. Simple actions can have significant impact: u Offering professional development opportunities u Providing lunch or team experiences COLUMNISTS What makes a great manager in 2026? Pam McKean By Pam McKean, Director, AB Dental & Medical Employment Agency amalgadent.com.au 1800 806 450 malgadent ●Unlimited depth of cure with NO gaps or leakage ●No additional primers or activators needed ●One step in just 90 seconds, no layering or capping ●Perfectly balanced flow, stackability, and easy finishing ●Enhanced shade-matching, polishability, & wear resistance ●Do more! Crown fabrication, core build-ups, post cementation Easy-to-place, dual-cure composite Fastest (90 sec) set, unlimited depth of cure, no microleakage. Join us at Booth 226 Proudly distributed in Australia by Amalgadent.
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