4 Characteristics Today’s Leaders Must Have
Reflecting on my journey as a Dental Office Manager for over six years, I’ve encountered one of the most challenging yet rewarding tasks of having ‘The Best Team in the World.’ This journey has been marked by the desire to see my team thrive, love their work, and grow within the business. It’s a journey that many of you can relate to.
Nowadays, we live with some realities that directly affect staff performance in the workplace; some examples are distractions, such as personal devices, social media, personal issues, procrastination, rapid technological advancements, globalization, and evolving societal norms.
It’s your turn to embrace these four leadership characteristics that have successfully built my dream team. By implementing these, you can create a similar environment of growth, collaboration, and excellence within your teams.
1. Awareness
Awareness is the ability to be conscious and wise of the surroundings, including the team’s needs, concerns, and dynamics.
A leader with awareness is aligned with the context in which they operate, including the organization’s culture, industry trends, and external factors impacting the business. Awareness involves empathy and emotional intelligence, allowing leaders to understand and empathize with the emotions and perspectives of their team members.
Leaders with awareness possess foresight and can anticipate challenges before they arise.
Awareness also involves adaptability, as leaders must be responsive to changes in their environment and willing to adjust their approach accordingly. Awareness encompasses self-awareness or understanding one’s strengths, weaknesses, and biases.
Self-aware leaders are better equipped to regulate their emotions, seek feedback, and continuously improve themselves, setting a positive example for their team members.
2. Presence
Presence is the characteristic that refers to the ability of a leader to command attention, inspire confidence, and make a meaningful impact on the team.
Leaders with presence exude charisma and confidence, projecting an aura of authority and credibility. Presence is closely linked to practical communication skills. Leaders with a presence are articulate, persuasive, and adept at conveying their ideas with clarity and conviction.
Authenticity is a hallmark of presence in leadership. Authentic leaders are genuine, transparent, and accurate to themselves, earning the respect and admiration of their staff.
Presence also encompasses poise and composure, especially in challenging or high-pressure situations. Nonverbal cues play a significant role in conveying presence. Leaders with solid presence command attention through their body language, posture, and gestures.
Ultimately, presence is about making a meaningful impact and leaving a lasting impression. Leaders with a presence can inspire, motivate, and mobilize others to action.
3. Integration
Integration is a leadership characteristic that refers to the ability of a leader to bring together diverse perspectives, resources, and stakeholders to achieve common goals and foster collaboration within a team or organization. Leaders who prioritize integration understand the importance of cooperation and teamwork in achieving organizational objectives.
Integration involves aligning the goals and priorities of various departments, teams, and individuals with the organization’s overarching vision and strategy.
Leaders with integration skills are adept at resolving conflicts and finding win-win solutions that address the needs of all parties. Integration also entails optimizing resources and leveraging synergies to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.
In today’s dynamic business environment, integration requires adaptability and change management skills.
4. Connection
Connection is a leadership characteristic that refers to a leader’s ability to establish and nurture meaningful relationships with others, including team members, colleagues, patients, and the community.
Leaders who prioritize connection understand the importance of building trust and rapport with their team members. They take the time to listen actively, show empathy, and demonstrate genuine interest in the well-being and perspectives of others.
Connection involves effective communication that is clear, transparent, and empathetic. Connected leaders empower their team members by providing opportunities for growth, autonomy, and meaningful contribution.
They recognize and celebrate everyone’s unique talents and strengths, encouraging them to take ownership of their work and contribute to the organization’s success. Leaders who prioritize connection actively engage with stakeholders, including clients, customers, suppliers, and community members. They seek to understand their needs, preferences, and concerns and work as a team to find mutually beneficial solutions.
Connected leaders inspire others through authenticity, passion, and commitment to a shared vision. They lead by example, demonstrating integrity, resilience, and a positive attitude in facing challenges.
Leaders who prioritize connection embrace diversity and inclusion, respecting and valuing cultural, background, and perspective differences. They create an environment where everyone feels welcome and included, fostering innovation and creativity through diverse perspectives.
Implementing these four leadership characteristics has transformed my team and created a win-win situation for them and the practice. They feel valued and invested, which has motivated them to stay and grow within the business.
The result?
A team that is committed to excellence—The Best Team in The World!!!!
About the Author
Rossemary Perez, FAADOM
Rossemary Perez, FAADOM, CLC, has been serving in the dental field since 2017. She began her journey as a Front Desk Receptionist at She Gables Family Dental in Miami, Florida, under the guidance of Dr. Elias Tobon.
In 2020, she assumed the role of Office Manager, overseeing operations across three locations and managing a team of 40 dedicated employees.
Rossemary earned her AADOM Fellowship in 2023 and is currently pursuing the MAADOM designation. Additionally, she is a Certified Life Coach accredited by the International Association of Coaching.
Passionate about personal development, Rossemary is developing a coaching program in Spanish tailored for dental office administration teams, empowering them to reach their fullest potential.
