Why Patients & Your Team Tune You Out.... And How To Fix It!
Did you know? Humans have a shorter attention span than goldfish!
Years ago, the average attention span was 12 seconds. Now, it’s less than eight. The goldfish have us beat at nine seconds!
So, why is our attention span getting shorter? The answer is clear: technology.
We’re constantly bombarded with information. Our phones ping every time a text, email or notification comes through. The world moves so much faster, and we’re always looking for the next thing.
In other words, our brains crave novelty over focus. Keep this in mind as you communicate with your team!
Here are a few tips to create less confusion and more synergy:
be clear and direct
leverage visuals
use attention-grabbing headlines
break info into bite-sized chunks
practice active listening
Remember—Patients have short attention spans, too. During an appointment, use words that are easy to understand. If you didn’t use a word before dental school, don’t use it with patients!
We consume about 16 movies’ worth of information per day. That’s not changing anytime soon. What you can change is how you communicate. Get the most out of those eight seconds!
Kirk Behrendt is a renowned consultant and speaker in the dental industry, known for his expertise in helping dentists create better practices and better lives. With over 30 years of experience in the field, Kirk has dedicated his professional life to optimizing the best systems and practices in dentistry. Kirk has been a featured speaker at every major dental meeting in the United States. His company, ACT Dental, has consistently been ranked as one of the top dental consultants in Dentistry Today's annual rankings for the past 10 years. In addition, ACT Dental was named one of the fastest-growing companies in the United States by Inc Magazine, appearing on their Inc 5000 list. Kirk's motivational skills are widely recognized in the dental industry. Dr. Peter Dawson of The Dawson Academy has referred to Kirk as "THE best motivator I have ever heard." Kirk has also assembled a trusted team of advisor experts who work with dentists to customize individual solutions that meet their unique needs. When he's not motivating dentists and their teams, Kirk enjoys coaching his children's sports teams and spending time with his amazing wife, Sarah, and their four children, Kinzie, Lily, Zoe, and Bo.
