The Final Staff Meeting

Dori Carlson, OD, MAL, FAAO, encourages doctor-owners to make consistent time for staff meetings, in whatever capacity works for them and remembers a her office manager.

By
Dori M. Carlson, OD, MAL, FAAO
September 1, 2026
4 min

Optometric Management

Objective:

To emphasize the role of staff meetings in building team culture and personal connections among employees.

Approach:

Meeting Structure: Weekly staff meetings are held to discuss office stats, marketing, training, and personal connections.
Cultural Significance: Meetings have been a core part of the office culture for 30 years, promoting transparency and teamwork.
Personal Story: A staff member hosted her final meeting in a hospital, demonstrating the deep connections formed through these gatherings.

Key Findings:

Weekly staff meetings facilitate open communication and foster teamwork.
Adaptable meeting formats can accommodate various office schedules.
Long-term employee retention is associated with a strong team culture developed through regular meetings.

Interpretation:

The narrative demonstrates how regular staff meetings create a supportive work environment and strengthen employee bonds.

Limitations:

The effectiveness of staff meetings may differ based on office size and structure.
Not all offices may achieve the same level of success with the proposed meeting format.