Leadership is an important concept for dental practice success, and it starts with knowing what you want. In my experience, many dentists know they want “a nice practice,” and that is about as far as it goes. Effective leaders, though, dive more deeply and can describe in detail the type of practice they aspire to have.
There’s a wonderful quote that applies to this situation: “Hope is not a strategy.” This is a reality. Hoping things will work out and taking planned actions to meet a clear vision are not the same thing. Hope is wonderful, but you have to take action if you want to achieve your vision.
To become a better leader, answer these three questions:
- Do you have a clear vision of the type of practice you want to have and what it will look like five years from today?
- Have you seen other versions of the practice you would like to have and taken time to learn how those practices were built and operate?
- Who is on your board of advisors to help you achieve your vision so that you don’t have to figure it all out on your own and reinvent the wheel?
Taking a moment to answer these questions might be the difference between an average career and one that is highly successful. The third question is critical because it will lead you to action. Who or what is going to help you get where you want to be? Very few people reach their goals alone. They have friends, advisors, and mentors who can guide them, fill in their knowledge gaps, and help them become the best leader possible.
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 United States 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.
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