My experience working with dental practices big and small, in large cities and in small towns, the “personality” of a dental practice is a direct reflection of the personality of the dentist.  The attitude of the team, the work ethic of the practice, the demeanor, outlook, philosophy, appearance, etc. are all directly related to the dentist.  It is the personality traits and character of the dentist that determines the level of success the practice achieves.

What’s it all Mean?

So, if your team does an impeccable job providing every patient with quality care and unyielding service, pat yourself on the back.  You are practicing what I call “Extreme Leadership.”

If, on the other hand, you cringe when teammates talk behind each other’s backs, or you swallow hard when you hear a team member being discourteous to a patient, don’t immediately blame your team.  The first place to look is in the mirror.  Do you talk behind the backs of others?  Do you sometimes appear annoyed with patients who don’t always follow your treatment recommendations?

John Maxwell, the author of The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership suggests that leadership ability is the “lid” on both your personal and organizational effectiveness.  In other words, if the leader is strong, the lid on your practice will be high.  If your leadership skills are weak, the practice will suffer.

To succeed in the long-run, you need to assess your leadership skills and strengthen those areas that are weak.  Extreme Leaders act in accordance with the demands they place on others.  If you want your team to be committed to giving its all, then you must be prepared to give your all as well.  To expect excellence, you must perform excellence!