When was the last time you practiced your leadership skills? No, really. Think back a bit. Did you practice your dental team leadership skills today? Or, does it seem like you’ve just been carrying on about your day, checking those boxes on all the tactical things that need to get done? 

The truth is, while leadership skills can be learned; they need to be practiced on a daily basis. The longer we take between practicing those skills, the rustier they get. And with true leadership, it isn’t simply like riding a bike and that muscle memory coming back into play. All those things going on around us can change our perceptions and our approach to making things happen. 

In this article, we’ll share a few reminders on how you can practice your dental team leadership skills. After all, by doing so, you’ll create a practice where employees and patients want to stay. 

Dental team leadership starts with great communication.

Did you know that effective communication in your practice can boost productivity by as much as 25%? Perhaps even more insightful is that leaders who take positive action on their employees’ feedback increased trust in the work environment by as much as 75%. 

In any workplace, communication lays the groundwork for success, but in a dental practice, it’s even more important. Clear, open communication strengthens relationships among team members, making day-to-day operations more efficient and collaborative. For dental practice leaders, this means creating an environment where an employee’s voice is truly heard and valued. When employees feel comfortable sharing ideas or concerns, they are far more likely to participate fully in their roles, leading to better outcomes for both the team and patients.

Dental practice leaders can build strong communication by scheduling regular check-ins, actively listening during team meetings, and providing actionable responses to feedback. It’s also helpful to model transparency, clearly explaining decisions and encouraging questions. 

Lead by Example

We’ve all heard the phrases walk the walk, talk the talk, practice what you preach, etc. But what about this one: do as I say, not as I do. Those first three phrases seem like something we all can get on board with. If you have a great leader in your work environment and see them doing the same things they expect of you, it makes things so much easier. But, if you have a leader who is telling you to behave one way, and they behave another way altogether, it can leave a pretty poor impression.

But how exactly does one lead by example? And how does that apply to a dentist who has a slightly different role than the other team members in the clinic? Leading by example as a dentist means aligning your actions with the expectations you have for your team. 

As a dentist, your role involves unique responsibilities, but that doesn’t mean leadership principles don’t apply. In fact, your actions set the tone for the practice’s culture and influence how your team interacts with patients and each other. Here are a few ways to lead by example in your practice:

• Exhibit professionalism: Show up on time, dress appropriately, and maintain a positive attitude, even during challenging situations. Your demeanor sets the standard for the entire team.
• Engage with patients and team members: Treat everyone with respect, listen attentively, and communicate with clarity. Your interactions will serve as a model for how the team should approach their roles.
• Be adaptable: Demonstrate a willingness to learn new techniques, adapt to change, and take on feedback. This shows your team that growth is a shared goal.
• Pitch in when needed: If the office is especially busy, don’t hesitate to assist with tasks outside your usual scope. Small gestures like helping clean an operatory or answering a patient’s question can resonate deeply with your team.

Support and Empower Your Team

Do you hear the word empowerment and simply think of it as a corporate buzzword? The thing is that empowerment isn’t just a buzzword—it’s actually a very meaningful way to motivate and engage employees. Research shows that employees who feel their voice is heard are 4.6 times more likely to feel confident in delivering their best work. For a dental practice leader, this means actively involving your team in decision-making processes and giving them the opportunity to contribute their insights.

One way to empower your team is by granting them a degree of autonomy in their roles. Allowing employees to take ownership of specific responsibilities or make decisions within their scope of work can significantly increase their sense of purpose and dedication.

Guidance and encouragement also play a key role in empowerment. Recognize individual and team efforts regularly—whether it’s a thank-you during a meeting or a written note of appreciation. Pair this with constructive feedback to help team members identify growth opportunities, and you’ll build confidence and capability within your practice.

Make Decisions With Confidence 

There it is—confidence. Have you ever worked somewhere with a leader who was wishy-washy, changed their mind all the time, or seemed to lack confidence? If so, how did that make you feel? For many, working under a leader with poor confidence can create a lack of confidence in your own work and skills. This can erode your level of employee engagement and bring down the morale of the entire workplace.

Making clear, informed decisions is a cornerstone of confident leadership. When a leader is decisive, it creates stability within the team and reinforces a sense of direction. This doesn’t mean rushing into choices without consideration. Instead, it involves gathering relevant information, consulting trusted team members when necessary, and weighing the potential outcomes. Once a decision is made, own it—whether it leads to success or calls for adjustments. This accountability demonstrates integrity and earns respect from your team.

Leading with confidence also helps to build trust. When team members see you standing by your decisions, they feel more secure in their roles and in the overall direction of the practice. They’ll feel supported, knowing you’re capable of steering the team through challenges and opportunities alike. 

Practicing your dental team leadership skills is an everyday task.

The next time you head into work, whether you are a dentist or work in another industry, try putting some of those leadership skills into practice. See what happens. Pay attention to how your team responds. We feel you’ll be met with positivity and optimism. And if you need help to build those skills as a dental practice leader, Jameson Grow can help.

Check out our plans today.