929: Clear Communication, Stronger Team – Miranda Beeson

Without clear communication, even the best teams can fall apart. So, how do you clearly communicate expectations as a leader to your team? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, ACT’s director of education, to share a framework for when and how to give feedback — and how to receive it! To learn how to create a stronger team through clear communication, listen to Episode 929 of The Best Practices Show!

Learn More About Miranda:

• Send Miranda an email: miranda@actdental.com 
• Follow Miranda on ACT’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actdental
• Send Courtney an email to learn more about ACT: courtney@actdental.com 

Learn More About ACT Dental:

• ACT’s Events: https://www.actdental.com/event
• ACT’s website: https://www.actdental.com
• ACT’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actdental
• ACT’s YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/actdental
• ACT’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/actdental
• ACT’s LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/actdental/

More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

• Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listen
• Join The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_US
• Join ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/ttt
• Get The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazine
• Please leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218

Episode Resources:

• Watch the video version of Episode 929: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videos
• Read Radical Candor by Kim Scott: https://www.radicalcandor.com/the-book
• Read Thanks for the Feedback by Douglas Stone & Sheila Heen: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/313485/thanks-for-the-feedback-by-douglas-stone-and-sheila-heen

Main Takeaways:

• Clear is kind. Being clear is better than being “nice”.
• Be consistent, specific, and safe when giving feedback.
• When you're consistent, clear, and calm, you will earn trust.
• Don't only give feedback when your expectations aren't being met.
• Proactively reward good behaviors or when expectations are being met.
• Learn the three feedback styles of appreciation, coaching, and evaluation.
• Start with having systems. It helps provide clarity for what needs to be done.
• Systems should be documented so they can be referenced, reviewed, and revised.
• Reframe your fears around providing feedback. If you avoid it, it is harmful to the team.
• Think of feedback as a gift, not a punishment — not only as the giver but as the receiver.

Snippets:

0:00 Introduction.

2:02 About ACT’s BPA, TTT, and Pro Coaching.

5:09 Why this is an important topic.

8:33 The value of strong communication.

13:24 Clear is kind.

17:57 E – R = C: Systems and core values.

27:53 Keys to giving clear feedback.

32:15 The different types of feedback.

43:48 Key elements of feedback.

46:35 Giving feedback without fear.

50:58 When to give feedback.

54:03 Feedback type examples.

55:48 Final takeaways.

59:18 More about ACT’s BPA.

Miranda Beeson, MS, BSDH Bio:

Miranda Beeson has over 25 years of clinical dental hygiene, front office, practice administration, and speaking experience. She is enthusiastic about communication and loves helping others find the power that words can bring to their patient interactions and practice dynamics. As a Lead Practice Coach, she is driven to create opportunities to find value in experiences and cultivate new approaches.

Miranda graduated from Old Dominion University, and enjoys spending time with her husband, Chuck, and her children, Trent, Mallory, and Cassidy. Family time is the best time, and is often spent on a golf course, a volleyball court, or spending the day boating at the beach.