Four Pillars of Effective Leadership: Part 2
In Part 1, we learned that effective leadership has been studied for years. Many have expressed that if a leader is not genuinely leading, then their followers will fail. Often, many have tried to define the most effective leadership approach.
We also discussed the foundation of leadership, which comprises two great concepts: approach and intentionality. When practiced on the dental team throughout every workday, it is thought that approach and intentionality play a pivotal role in our success as practice managers.
This article will discuss the other two pillars of outstanding leadership in further detail. These two pillars are just as important as the other two previously mentioned.
Communication
The third pillar is a big one; it could make or break your leadership style, and that’s communication. Communication plays a pivotal role in leadership and management; if anyone cannot communicate effectively, they may be unable to lead and lost.
Effective communication can be considered a GPS; when you enter an address into a GPS, it gives detailed instructions on how to reach the final destination or goal. When you make a wrong turn or pass your destination, it tells you to turn around or gives you an alternate route that gets you back on track.
This is what communication should look like in our practices; we are our team’s GPS and need to ensure that we have them going to the correct destination and, when they deviate, get them back on track. Valuable directions are crucial to keeping the team moving forward, no matter how small they seem.
We need to lead our team with clear and concise direction and expectations if we want them to be successful, and we need to ensure that managers are constantly communicating with their teams to help them grow.
A dental office manager should also examine their personal growth regarding communication. Like intentionality, communication styles, and tones must be constantly perfected to thrive.
One should always communicate with humility and grace in everything you do. Leaders can also ask their team how they perceived their instructions to make sure the message that was trying to be communicated came across correctly.
Commitment
The fourth and final pillar is commitment. Although last on this list, commitment is not least on the skills needed to be an effective manager.
There is an old saying that you should never over-promise and under-deliver, which is why committed leaders make a successful practice. When managers promise their team that they will do something and fail to do so, they can instantly lose trust and credibility within the team. Broken promises from a leader make it challenging for others to respect and want to follow that leader.
Leaders who are consistent with their actions show commitment by following through with exactly what was promised to the team. This, in turn, builds trust and loyalty in the practice.
Leaders who stay committed to their promises make a good culture in their practice. This principle extends beyond the team-to-patient interactions, emphasizing the value of keeping promises to foster growth and positive outcomes.
Commitment ensures a supportive and reliable environment essential for team and patient satisfaction. Leaders should prioritize their obligations to build and sustain a positive culture in their dental office.
Building Strong Leadership That Lasts
This two-part article reminds us of how pillars symbolize strength, and these last two pillars discussed are just as worthy as the first two mentioned. These four pillars complement any management style; one cannot work without the others. They all work hand in hand, and managers must remember to utilize each throughout the day.
Remember, outstanding leadership comes from approach, intentionality, communication, and commitment. These four pillars, once mastered, will not only change your leadership approach but will also change the culture, community, and practice of the team that you lead.
About the Author
Zachary Shelley, MAADOM
Zachary Shelley’s transition from a professional skateboarder to a dedicated dental office manager is truly inspiring. His passion for growing dental practices and building strong teams is evident in his work with Satellite Family Dentistry and Beachside Smiles Pediatric Dentistry. In addition, he founded the Dental Office Manager Leadership Network Inc.
Zachary was inducted as an AADOM Fellow in 2022 and Masters in 2024. Dentistry has allowed him to use his skills to help grow two successful practices and build an amazing dental team.
Zachary has been in the dental field for over 15 years and, throughout that time, has followed his passion for excelling in the practice he works for and motivating his dental teammates. In his free time, he loves to spend time with his wife and three boys.
