The Science of Nice: The Behavioral Tools for Practice Growth

Look, no one should have to tell you to be nice. That’s grade school 101. But it’s helpful to get a business-minded refresher, now that we’ve left our middle school days (and hairstyles) behind.

Niceness can make your workplace run smoother, help your team solve problems more creatively, and ultimately, improve your patients’ experience. A team rooted in kindness gives patients a high-quality experience they’ll recommend to others.

Understanding how the brain works can help you understand how being nice is a strategic step for practice growth.

Understanding Oxytocin

Oxytocin, often nicknamed the ‘love hormone,’ plays a starring role in this story. It's like the body’s built-in warm-fuzzy generator, enhancing feelings of trust and bonding between people. When you create a positive environment, employees’ oxytocin levels spike. They’ll feel more connected and engaged. Those positive feelings spill out and improve your patients’ experience, too.

Increased oxytocin is responsible for several workplace-boosting benefits:

• Enhanced Trust and Cooperation

• Fostering Social Bonding and Empathy

• Reducing Anxiety and Conflict

Oxytocin-Inducing Strategies for Your Practice

• Encourage Social Interaction: Team activities and social interactions can naturally boost oxytocin levels. Simple initiatives like a daily huddle, monthly team-building exercises, or casual social events can make a significant difference.

• Foster a Culture of Recognition: Recognizing individual and team achievements regularly can trigger oxytocin release. Public acknowledgment, awards, and even simple thank-yous can contribute to a more positive team atmosphere.

• Develop a Welcoming Physical Environment: Creating spaces that encourage positive interaction, such as comfortable communal areas, can enhance social bonding and oxytocin release.

Understanding Dopamine

Oxytocin isn’t running the show alone. Dopamine also plays a part in shaping feelings and behaviors. Known as the ‘reward molecule’, dopamine rewards us with good feelings when we achieve something. And here’s the kicker: acts of kindness release dopamine not just in the receiver's brain, but in the giver's also. 

Healthy dopamine levels can: 

• Enhance Motivation

• Improve Learning and Cognitive Flexibility

• Boost Team Cooperation

Dopamine-Inducing Strategies for Your Practice

• Set Achievable Goals: Well-defined, achievable goals can increase dopamine levels as employees anticipate the reward of achieving these goals. Regular feedback and milestones further enhance this effect.

• Pair Recognition with Rewards Systems: Implementing recognition programs that reward employees for their achievements can maintain high dopamine levels, motivating continued effort and loyalty.

• Cultivate a Positive Organizational Culture: Celebrations, public acknowledgments, and social gatherings that recognize team and individual contributions can boost morale and dopamine levels, contributing to a happier, more cohesive workplace.

Bringing the Science of Nice to Your Practice

Now that you understand the brain science that makes niceness so powerful, it’s time to take action. Start small. Choose one area of your practice where you can operationalize some oxytocin and dopamine-inducing behaviors.

It can be as simple as beginning the habit of thanking team members during a standing meeting, or planning a regular staff outing to boost goodwill and fuel collaboration. 

Take note of what’s working and make adjustments that suit your team. As you build up systems that support niceness, you’ll see that when your team thrives, your patients will too.