Every dentist would state that they’d like to be a great leader. Research for a course I am creating on advanced leadership has yielded 3 keys that will help any dentist become a great leader, who is capable of building powerful, focused teams that excel and remain with the practice longer. Those keys are communication, transparency, and honesty.
Communication is critical.
Although everything happening in the practice cannot be shared every moment with the entire team, the more they are included, the more they will help to achieve the vision, live the mission, and exhibit the core values. Good communication also eliminates the need for gossip.
Gossip doesn’t form in an environment of frequent and open communication.
Transparency is a powerful tool of great leaders.
They don’t manipulate and they don’t hold back. They share new information early in the process and even encourage and allow the team to provide feedback. Great leaders know that honest feedback will prevent mistakes or uncover even better ideas.
Transparency is letting the team know that you were open to hearing anything and receiving feedback openly.
Honesty should be an obvious characteristic for any dentist regarding communicating with the team, but it is often not the case.
If the team even perceives that they are not being given honest information, they will quickly lose trust in both the dentist and the practice. The fastest way to convert a resolute, committed team member into one who is working strictly to “punch in and out” is to lose their trust.
Trust is one of the most important components of great leadership.
Becoming a great leader is not easy. There is no certification test or automatic pathway to follow. It is the day-in and day-out process of communicating with transparency and honesty that helps develop strong leadership skills. Leadership is not something you achieve and are done. It is situational.
Internal and external factors may shift, but the three keys outlined above will always be a strong foundation for becoming and remaining a great leader.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Roger P. Levin, DDS is the CEO and Founder of Levin Group, a leading practice management consulting firm that has worked with over 30,000 clients to increase production. A recognized expert on dental practice management and marketing, he has written more than 60 books and over 4,000 articles and regularly presents seminars in the U.S. and around the world.
To contact Dr. Levin or to join the 40,000 dental professionals who receive his Practice Production Tip of the Day, visit www.levingroup.com or email rlevin@levingroup.com.
FEATURED IMAGE CREDIT: Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.
