Atmospheric Turbulance

Dental coach

Atmospheric Turbulence

At night time, have you ever wondered why light sources always seem to flicker? Whether it is the rogue nature of stars in the sky or a cityscape shimmering in the distance, it is not by pure chance or some mystical source of intermittent current driving the pulse. The variance in air temperature and wind speed occupying the space in between establishes a refractory force upon the light such that by the time it registers on the retina, it will appear to flicker. This is commonly known as atmospheric turbulence.

Metaphorically speaking, leadership is wrought with similar challenges which is why so much is made out of the intestinal fortitude required to truly define oneself as a leader. The air can be a bit rarefied at times making for potential hypoxic decision-making when challenging times arise. However, through self-awareness, humility, and a sprinkling of forgiveness, the shackles start loosening up and confidence emerges from the perpetual fog.

If there were ever a light source more symbolic and relevant to combatting uncertainty while also fostering hope, the lighthouse is just that example. Developed to simultaneously warn seafaring groups of imminent peril while representing a beacon of safety for those lost at sea, the lighthouse has stood the test of time. Considered one of the more iconic of structures in human history, its connection to leadership is uncanny. Servitude to others while simultaneously operating within an earnest set of parameters reflects the hallmark of a true leader. Having the means and wherewithal to maintain a safe and thriving environment is invaluable to the success of a company. Establishing a perpetual level of communication throughout the organization, anticipating challenges, and guiding through even the most unpleasant conditions exemplifies true lighthouse leadership. It eliminates the scatter and static from the environment and in turn, decreases the atmospheric turbulence.

First by inspiration then by virtue of aspiration, ascension to leadership mastery is wrought by challenges often unforeseen until deep into the process. This requires an inordinate amount of time and effort to foster. Having a community of like-minded colleagues genuinely dedicated to each other’s success is essential. Dental practice leadership is inherently lonely and often lacks any form of fellowship. However, there now exists hope in the form of a concerted effort to optimize the connectivity. Today, more than ever before, masterminding is on center stage in the life and routine of a practice owner. Not all opportunities are created equal, so it behooves the mentee to assess all options. The allegiance found in a group wholly committed to growth and development while minimizing atmospheric turbulence is by far one of the most essential elements of success for today’s practice leader.

If this is of interest or feels like a calling, then consider Dynamic Dental Ascension as a potential resource for you.

Common Leadership Challenges in the Workplace

Dental Practice Ownership Challenges

Despite a rigorous selection process, the lion’s share of experience and development of leadership muscle in the dental practice tends to mirror the rest of the marketplace. The ongoing series of checklists, operations, and nuances unique to successfully leading a team is largely left to chance or essentially a “baptism by fire” approach. The profession self-selects a rather unique subset of the population obsessed with compassionate and nurturing care of its patients through a lens devoted to perfection. Yet, statistics show an unprecedented level of dissatisfaction amongst its rank and file. Why? Too often, dental professionals seek to address the how before identifying the why and what of any particular situation. Strategic pearls are put before any sort of purpose or passion. This cart-before-the-horse approach is widespread with no palpable end in sight.

Addressing and hopefully resolving this dilemma is the foundation and context of our work at Dynamic Dental Ascension. Having taken up the call to arms, your decision to pursue the profession of dentistry is actually a gift. The opportunity cost of taking a different trajectory is not pocket change. It is time to distill down the basics of your journey so far and where its potential leads.

In everyday life as a practice owner, you will be faced with relentless stimulation of the leadership muscles all while balancing the ongoing challenges of clinical responsibilities. The minds of a dentist do not necessarily cooperate either. Learning to appreciate a brief pause when assessing a situation will deftly parse the cause and effect while allowing a more effective response. The everyday trek is marked by numerous encounters with some being more noteworthy and worth exploring a bit further. Distilled out of many personal experiences as well as countless hours observing others, here are a few of the top most common instances where practice leadership is put to the test:

  • Premature Failure and/or Substandard Treatment Outcomes
  • Gossip or Status Trading Amongst Personnel
  • Chronic Illness and Absenteeism
  • Handling Raises
  • Negative Reviews
  • Premature Failure and/or Substandard Treatment Outcomes

Sworn to uphold clinical standards is essential to successful matriculation through dental school. There are no exceptions once in private practice except that the binary process of clinical care is no longer valid. It is not our desire or by design to engage in clinical failures or imperfect results. However, statistically speaking, they occur. Acknowledgment and ownership are essential. Treating others by the platinum rule and showing recognition by second-order acknowledgment will avert and diffuse any crisis. Taking pride and ownership in craftsmanship by reproducing an acceptable result or remedying the situation is the way.


Gossip or Status Trading Amongst Personnel

In society, there is no shortage of outlets to express or opine with almost no recourse. Oftentimes it is shrouded in electronic cover and brushed off. The dental practice is not immune to ill-fated attempts to gain at the expense of others. In an environment full of deadlines, emotions, sensitivity, financials, strict guidelines, exacting standards, et al, there is no shortage of tension. When faced with these ugly truths, it is imperative to hold to a standard. The culture of the organization should effectively serve the purpose of diffusing any attempts at undermining by virtue of its ability to provide a safe and inclusive environment where accountability is standard and grace is second nature. Start by engaging the offenders in their own honest dialogue and proceed from there on the premise of high standards and low tolerance.

Chronic Illness and Absenteeism

No leader relishes in the notion of questioning the validity of illness and/or the need to miss work for health-related reasons. However, there may come a point where an individual may call into question the limits of time off. Should this present itself, the deficit can deleteriously affect the mood and performance of the more reliable team members and cast doubt on the leadership of the organization. Taking the time to explore via active listening and reconcile the issues for the offender will lead to an effective solution or reprimand of either freeing them up to explore other more suitable employment opportunities or reform and get with the program.

Handling Raises

Who doesn’t respond favorably to the opportunity to increase their livelihood? Time and money are often deemed interchangeable units of measurement, at least figuratively, so when it comes to a request to increase compensation it is often marked by angst and uncertainty for many practice leaders. A meritocracy naturally rewards a progressive approach or ascension upon some sort of skills development path. All too often, raises are substantiated upon the past performance or essentially on an entitled basis. There could be some merit to this approach, but it is imperative to connect a salary augmentation with future outcomes and performance that fosters an advancement for the organization. This could entail a myriad of options, so it behooves the practice leader to continually explore options and solicit thoughts from the team.

Negative Reviews

Society lives and breathes by the ways of the internet, SEO, and reviews. Our social proof pivots upon optimizing what patients have to say about us online. When a subpar assessment arrives, it feels like an utter defeat by way of a lethal gut punch. Often referred to as NPS or Net Promoter Score, it enables a more rapid exposure to a greater TAM or Total Addressable Market when the reviews are optimized. Take a negative review as an opportunity to reflect and reassess. Remember, the patient is uniquely qualified to opine about their experience, and perhaps it was not the best that particular day. The humanistic and humble side of us all recognizes this and takes the feedback as a growth moment. It is only acceptable to respond maturely and professionally to all reviews regardless of their ranking. Over time, if the dominance is that of 5 stars, those occasional black eyes shall fade.


If this resonates with your personal situation, bear in mind, you are not alone. Many who have elected the same formidable path, have discovered the value of mentorship. Consider Dynamic Dental Ascension as a potential partner on your journey. Schedule a discovery call today!

 

5 Most Common Things Keeping a Dental Entrepreneur Awake at Night

5 Most Common Things Keeping a Dental Entrepreneur Awake at Night

No one truly empathizes with a dentist unless they are living the dream in the trenches or have previous first-hand knowledge. It is rather unreasonable to expect a lay person to appreciate the challenges we tackle on a regular basis. Not even a spouse, self-employed friends, family, or even disillusioned colleagues over on the medical side of the equation can truly appreciate the life of a dental practitioner.

Imagine the thrill of simply responding “you have no clue” when asked why you are angry and frustrated over a litany of events at the practice. For not only is a dental practitioner held to incredibly stringent clinical standards, they are also required to settle the cultural disruptions, pay the bills, acknowledge a rather paltry market penetration, and work on wide awake people. All this while maintaining a near flawless balance with a healthy personal and family life. Is it realistic to expect a work-life balance? A dynamic swagger seems more appropriate, and, in all earnestness, the interconnectivity can potentially wind one around a flagpole ready to surrender.

Fear not, for this recurring theme is not unique to any one specific but a universal protocol for donning the many hats of dental practice leadership. Here are five of the most common elements to consider during one of those all-too-common sleepless nights:

  1. Imposter Syndrome
  2. Perfectionism
  3. Erratic Cash Flow
  4. A Mountain of Debt
  5. What are the Alternatives? 
5 Most Common Things Keeping a Dental Entrepreneur Awake at Night (1)

Imposter Syndrome

No one relishes in being labeled a phony. One of the more egregious self-imposed labels of an entrepreneur, it is a chronic state of perceived inadequacy despite evidence of success. This somewhat chronic state of self-doubt can and often leads to more a destructive path for many who suffer. One of the most essential steps toward improvement is establishing a defined and persistent practice of mindfulness. Truly being self-aware is a direct connection to the root of happiness.

Perfectionism

We participate within a profession built on the necessity for exacting standards, and it is blasphemous to think otherwise. Despite having countless lab cases destroyed by the dental school autocracy, the value within that experience cemented the need to always maintain unwavering standards. Oftentimes, the sense or need to make things perfect stems from an innate fear of failure and can lead to an incredible degree of procrastination. Rather, delegation and adaptation of Pareto’s Principle can go a long way toward alleviating this curse.

Erratic Cash Flow

We participate within a profession built on the necessity for exacting standards, and it is blasphemous to think otherwise. Despite having countless lab cases destroyed by the dental school autocracy, the value within that experience cemented the need to always maintain unwavering standards. Oftentimes, the sense or need to make things perfect stems from an innate fear of failure and can lead to an incredible degree of procrastination. Rather, delegation and adaptation of Pareto’s Principle can go a long way toward alleviating this curse.

A Mountain Of Debt

The path to successful practice leadership is paved with good intentions, gold bricks, and gallons of blood, sweat, and tears. Today’s price tag for education and practice ownership is steep if not bordering upon insurmountable. However, dentistry remains quite possibly the most entrepreneurial sub sector of health care which substantiates its selectivity and inordinate price tag. AS a result, there is a viable practice model for just about any venture and almost walled-garden nature to its surroundings. Regardless, the conscientious in all aim to make good on all of their obligations, and debt-free is a great state of being.

What are the Alternatives?

An all-too-common thought thread emerges when one is knee-deep in the trenches of daily practice. What routinely feels like a marathon of sprints can reduce even the most formidable to a place of burnout, fatigue, and pure resentment. A likely culmination of all the nocturnal ruminations lends itself to this destination with a hopeful eye for greener pasture. With a little reflection, perspective, and unconditional support, one may find a renewed passion or forage an alternative path a bit less dependent upon the hands.

If this resonates with your personal situation, bear in mind, you are not alone. Many who have elected the same formidable path, have discovered the value of mentorship. Consider Dynamic Dental Ascension as a potential partner on your journey. Schedule a discovery call today!