You know the type. The clipboard-carrying, motivational-quote-posting, trying too hard to be “punny” boss. You worked for one once. Maybe you worked for several. You swore you’d never become that person.
Then you opened your own practice.
Suddenly, you’re catching yourself saying things your old boss used to say. Making decisions the way they made decisions. Following the same leadership playbook that you hated as an employee. You’re becoming the boss you swore you’d never be.
It starts with recognizing that you don’t have to lead the way you were led. You can build trust instead of demanding it. You can listen instead of lecturing. You can coach instead of commanding.
The best part? When you commit to growing as a leader, your team evolves with you. They see you trying to be better, and they want to be better too. Trust builds. Communication improves. Culture strengthens.
You don’t have to figure it out alone. Get a coach. Read leadership books. Invest in yourself the way you invest in your practice equipment. Because the best leaders aren’t born—they’re built.
Stop becoming the boss you never wanted to work for. Start becoming the leader you always wished you had.