Encourage Feedback Without Fear
WHY LISTENING TO YOUR EMPLOYEES CAN TRANSFORM YOUR PHARMACY
ACT ON THE SMALL STUFF TO BUILD BIG TRUST When employees make suggestions, following through is crucial — especially when you’re just starting to build this feedback culture. Even the smallest ideas matter. I’ll never forget one of the first suggestions I implemented: a box of red pens. One of my technicians loved making notes in red ink and asked for her own stash of red pens. At first, it seemed trivial. But I bought the pens, and when I handed her the box, her excitement was through the roof. You’d think I’d given her a winning lottery ticket! It taught me an important lesson: It doesn’t have to make sense to me to be meaningful to them. Acting on these small suggestions shows your team you’re listening and that their input matters. This builds trust and opens the door for more ideas that may eventually lead to transformative changes for your pharmacy. THE RIPPLE EFFECT OF EMPOWERING EMPLOYEES When employees know their voices are heard, something incredible happens. They start to take ownership of their roles, become more engaged, and collaborate better. A team that feels valued creates a culture of mutual respect and shared success. Over time, small suggestions like red pens evolve into more significant contributions. Employees feel comfortable sharing ideas about efficiency, customer service, or even substantial operational changes. And when they trust you with the small things, they’ll start trusting you with the big ones.
I’ve learned that empowering employees to speak up can completely transform your business, but it’s not always easy. Encouraging them to share ideas, suggestions, and even frustrations creates a collaborative environment where everyone feels valued. Yet, how do we get employees to speak up? Over the years, I’ve developed a few go-to strategies to ensure my employees always have a voice, and I can’t overstate how much it has improved morale and performance. UNLOCK IDEAS WITH THE MAGIC WAND GAME One of my favorite tools for encouraging feedback is what I call the Magic Wand Game . I’ve been doing it with my employees for years, and it works like, well, magic. Here’s how it goes: I ask, “If I gave you a magic wand, what would you change, or what would you want?” The beauty of this question is that it removes all the blame, pressure, and fear that can come with traditional feedback. Employees don’t feel like they’re criticizing anyone, worrying about limitations, or risking an awkward conversation. Instead, they’re free to think creatively and dream big. For example, one employee once said, “If I had a magic wand, I’d replace all of our computers with new ones.” They hesitated initially, though, worrying it might be “too expensive.” Except, that’s the magic of the wand — it lets people set aside those hesitations, whether it’s time or money, because we’re talking about a magic wand. The answers can be simple or ambitious, but they almost always provide valuable insights. NAMED OR ANONYMOUS: GIVE EMPLOYEES OPTIONS While the Magic Wand Game is excellent for open, low-pressure conversations, I know not everyone feels comfortable speaking up directly. Some people are shy, while others may fear retribution, even if it’s unwarranted.
So, start small. Ask your employees what they’d change if they had a magic wand. Create pathways for feedback, both
named and anonymous. Act on the little things, and watch how quickly trust and collaboration grow. Your employees have incredible ideas — give them the
That’s why I provide multiple ways for employees to give feedback, including anonymous suggestions. Whether through a suggestion box or a digital form, this option allows everyone to share their thoughts without hesitation. The combination of open dialogue and anonymous submissions ensures I hear from everyone, not just the most outspoken team members.
voice they deserve, and your pharmacy will thrive.
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