Dos and don'ts for leadership: Grow yourself to grow your practice

Almost no one is born an excellent leader. Leadership comprises a set of skills that can be learned and improved upon just like a language or other area of study. As the CEO of the practice, dentists should strive to constantly better themselves to increase production, lower stress, and support the team. Ultimately, becoming a stronger leader will help doctors get the most out of their careers.

Set personal goals in addition to practice goals. If there are conditions in your personal life that interfere with your practice, create a plan to address them. For example, if you feel exhausted much of the time, take a look at your sleep, diet, and exercise. What adjustments can be made to help your mind and body function at a higher level? Set weekly, monthly, and yearly goals for your lifestyle just as you would for your business.

Don't ever stop learning. The dental industry constantly produces new technologies and techniques to make clinical procedures more efficient. If you don't strive to learn as much as you can, you'll fall behind. The same principle applies to personal development. Books, seminars, and other learning opportunities abound to help you become the best leader you can be.

Roger P. Levin, DDS, is the chairman and CEO of practice management consulting firm Levin Group. You can connect with Levin Group on Facebook and Twitter (@Levin_Group) to learn more strategies and share ideas. Also, check out Dr. Levin's free practice management videos at www.levingroup.com/gp.

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