Being a great dentist requires more than delivering great dentistry — you must manage the three circles of dentistry: clinician, entrepreneur, and leader. There’s constant tension between all three of these roles, and when you neglect one of them, the practice pulls you, instead of you leading it. To take back control, you must invest in all three circles and strengthen them together. When that happens, you’ll create a healthier practice, a more aligned team, and a more fulfilling life.
Clinician
The clinical sphere is the “comfort zone” for most dentists, because living in the chair is what’s familiar to them. Ultimately, this is where most of your time should go, and you should spend 80-85% of your time in the clinical realm. However, because dentists spend so much time in the clinical setting and are more comfortable there, it’s often common for them to not know where to begin with the other circles. When you can push beyond the clinical realm, that’s when the true freedom of private practice begins.
Entrepreneur
Dentists don’t always see themselves as entrepreneurs, but if you own your own practice, you are one! When this circle is weak, the business controls you, so it’s crucial to learn how to strengthen it and show up as an entrepreneur in your practice:
- Build your vision and values
- Know your numbers and let that data drive your decisions
- Set a strategy and a plan for growth
Work on the practice at least a few hours each week instead of working in it all the time
Like Kirk says, “You’ve got to land the airplane to work on it on the ground,” so make an intentional effort to work on the business side of the practice.
Leader
A strong leader brings stability to a practice, inspires their team, and creates alignment. Leadership isn’t an inherent instinct in everyone, but you can develop it in yourself:
- Become consistent in your communication
- Reinforce your vision, purpose, and expectations
- Grow your team into people who take ownership and become leaders, themselves
Ultimately, leadership is about investing in people, and when you make that investment, you get exponential returns.
Remember, your practice will only grow to the level of the least developed circle. Just as great dentistry cannot fix weak systems, unclear vision, or inconsistent leadership, a strong business strategy cannot compensate for inconsistent clinical execution. You must operate in all circles and strengthen them; in doing so, you’ll strengthen your life. You can take intentional action right away — all you must do is choose one circle and dedicate one hour this week toward strengthening it. One hour is all it takes to get started, and with small, consistent steps, you can build the momentum you need to reclaim your practice and your life!
To learn more about ACT and how we can help you build a Better Practice and a Better Life, reach out to Gina!
Tune in next time and learn how to help your team align with you!
