Do You Lead or Manage an Orthodontic Practice?

I read a great article today, written by Linda Talley: The Leadership Coach.  It is short, to the point and I would like to share it with you. 

Keep in mind, when reading this post, how members of your orthodontic team, including yourself, would measure up….  Every member of the team, at some point in time, finds themselves in a position to lead or manage.  I found it very enlightening.

1. When you are in a meeting, and someone mentions the word “Change,”  you ask how much it will cost.
2. When a salesperson brings in a new product idea, you ask what the downside will be.
3. When a diversity issue arises within the practice, you ask how it will affect the bottom line.
4. When an idea comes along to completely reinvent the customer service department, you ask what the competition is doing in this area.
5. Staff is required to obtain approval on everything!
6. You’re more interested in reporting short term results.
7. You get nervous with staff members who want to take the company “out on a limb.”
8. You feel there is no difference between the parenting you do at home and at the office.
9. You are depressed at the end of the day if you feel like anything or anyone got out of control, didn’t show up, or didn’t do their portion.
10. You liked the way the company was running 10 years ago rather than how it is today.

Orthodontic practices whose marketing and management strategies are run by managers, will always remain "Ordinary."  Orthodontic practices  whose strategies are implemented by leaders, can't help but become "ExtraOrdinary."

How does your practice measure up?