Published in Meath Chronicle 27/11/2012
Recently, a dentist who´d worked with Navan Dental for several years handed in his notice by leaving a message on my answer machine. At least, he didn´t tweet it or post a message on Facebook. When asked later why he had decided to leave, he answered, “this is simply business, it´s nothing personal”. The same person could not understand why staff members were so upset when they found out the news.
Recently, a dentist who´d worked with Navan Dental for several years handed in his notice by leaving a message on my answer machine. At least, he didn´t tweet it or post a message on Facebook. When asked later why he had decided to leave, he answered, “this is simply business, it´s nothing personal”. The same person could not understand why staff members were so upset when they found out the news.
The reality is that business and
work are personal. If you work an eight-hour day you physically spend more waking
time with your work colleagues than your partner. A busy dental practice is
like a football match but each half lasts four hours instead of 45 minutes. The
dentists may be strikers however without the defenders and goalie they´d never
see the ball. As social creatures we rely on the help and friendship of others.
From our family nests we soon spread our wings and learn to fly with others of
our own age: helping, trusting and sharing the challenges and fun of life. Growing up we develop the social skills to
become team players.
The reaction of the dentist in
question reminds me of my childhood days when a new kid showed up on the block
to play football with us. We welcomed him into the gang but it became obvious
he hadn´t much experience of playing in a team. He wanted to hold the ball and
dribble a bit but there was little time for such carry-on in a tight
five-a-side game where one-touch and pass not only honed your skills, it also
saved your ankles. When he showed up again the following day he brought with
him a shiny-new, leather football. Our mouths hung open at its perfect
roundness, up until then we had been playing with what can best be described as
a semi-inflated naan bread which required pumping every ten minutes.
We took turns setting up
free-kicks, bending the ball around a wall of eager youngsters and it worked; it
was just like Match of the Day. Next, the newcomer showed his prowess at keepy-uppies
but we were so fired up to get on with the game we paid him little attention. Bouncy
and unpredictable, the pace of the game was electric and having less time on
the ball, the competition grew intense and exciting. Verbal communication
dwindled, it became unnecessary, we knew our weaknesses and strengths, we knew
what we could do and we knew each other. Except our new mate whose impatience knew
better, he snatched up the ball and roared, “it´s nothing personal, but this
isn´t football”. He took his ball and stormed off home. Meanwhile, we
re-inflated our naan ball and started the game again. Later we clubbed together our pocket-money and bought a new ball. Today, we still remain
dedicated to a great team; in my opinion, the best.
Dr. Don Mac Auley - navandental.ie
Dr. Don Mac Auley - navandental.ie
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