Running a general practice is like juggling flaming swords while someone moves the floor. Between staff shortages, last-minute cancellations, tech hiccups, and the ever-growing demand, it can feel like everything is urgent.
But here’s a calming truth from complexity science:
You don’t fix chaos by controlling everything. You manage it by adjusting just one lever at a time.
🔧 The Practice: Pick One Lever This Week
Instead of reacting to all the noise, choose one small area you can shift. Something specific, doable, and measurable. For example:
• Set a 10-minute standing huddle with practice staff each morning.
• Streamline one bottleneck in your patient flow.
• Check in with one staff member you haven’t connected with lately.
🎯 The Theory: Complex Adaptive Systems
Your practice isn’t a machine—it’s a living system. That means:
• Small changes can have big ripple effects.
• Relationships matter more than rules.
• You don’t need full control—just a steady hand and a clear next step.
🛠️ Try This Today:
Ask your team:
“If we could make one small improvement this week to reduce stress, what would it be?”
Then back that improvement. Loudly and clearly. It’ll do more than a policy ever could.
