100+ Coworkers Later: 3 Key Habits of the Happiest Teams (Part 2)

As a travel optometrist, I’ve had the privilege of working in 5 provinces, at 20 different offices, with over 100 Coworkers.

Among the happiest (and strongest) teams, I noticed 3 key habits that consistently showed up.

(Check out part 1 here)

100+ Coworkers Later: 3 Key Habits of the Happiest Teams Pt. 1

As a travel optometrist, I’ve had the privilege of working in 5 provinces, at 20 different offices, with over 100 Coworkers. Among the happiest (and strongest) teams, I noticed 3 key habits that consistently showed up. Habit #1: Embrace Playfulness One of our team members came to work decked

Redesign Work with Fred ChoFred H Cho

The Subaru Guy

I was at a local Subaru dealership when a salesman approached me.

From the moment he started talking, I knew – he really loves Subaru.

His eyes lit up as he passionately explained about all the features that could help me.

Then he waved to his brother, who was just pulling out of the lot — in, you guessed it, a Subaru. It turns out his whole family drives Subarus.

He wasn’t trying to sell me a car. He was sharing the value of something he truly believed in.

Key Habit #2: Focus on Education

Just like the Subaru guy, sales is part of eyecare. Whether it's selling services or medical products, sales is a part of what we do. But here's a key question:

Are we salespeople or are we educators?

Although sales is part of what we do, we are first and foremost educators.

When we use our knowledge and experience to make a genuine recommendation, we’re not selling, we’re educating. This is a key mindset that helped me reconnect with why I do what I do.

The happiest (and the strongest) teams I've seen fully embrace this identity. They don't see themselves as "just selling glasses"; they make it their mission to educate patients.

In practical terms, this means:

• Try the products yourself
• Stay up-to-date with continuing education
• Don't recommend something if you don't fully understand it (defer to a coworker who does!)

We Are Educators

Since sales is part of our work as opticians and optometrists, we all feel an inner conflict from time to time.

Early in my career I struggled with this conflict a lot, but what helped me overcome it is to remember that my job is to educate, then let the patient decide.

This is also what I've seen the happiest & strongest teams do.

Embrace the educator mindset!

Look out for the part 3 article coming soon!