Leading with Purpose: Infusing the Spirit of Service into Everyday Practice
Some of the most important lessons I’ve learned about leadership did not come from a seminar or a management course. They came from outside the walls of my husband’s dental practice—on a school porch in the mountains of Honduras, in a community dental center during our local Dr Lisandra Soto Dental Day of Caring, and in countless quiet moments of simply showing up for others without expecting anything in return.
As dental office managers, we are often focused on systems, scheduling, insurance, and efficiency. We take classes to improve these things, but where do the classes concentrate on caring for the patients?
While all those things are critical, I have learned that what defines a leader is how they serve their teams, their patients, and their communities.
Over the years, I have been fortunate to participate in international and local dental outreach efforts. Whether sterilizing instruments in a makeshift school clinic in Honduras or helping patients navigate their appointments during a free dental care day in Kalamazoo, those experiences have changed me. They have made me more grounded, flexible, and compassionate. They have made me a better leader.
Mindset and the Mission
Mission work takes you far outside your comfort zone. Once you arrive at the school, there is no set schedule, no perfect setup, and no easy solutions. You jump in where you are needed and lead with empathy. You solve problems with limited resources.
That environment forces you to think differently, improvise, communicate clearly, and lean into teamwork with everything you have. It’s humbling and empowering. Bringing that mindset back to the office has been transformational.
The same spirit of service that inspires mission work also shapes my approach to leadership, conflict resolution, and developing a positive office environment. I strive to cultivate a workplace where every team member feels acknowledged, respected, and valued.
We prioritize collaboration and recognize that each patient interaction is a daily opportunity to make a meaningful difference.
Servant Leadership in the Practice
We have started weaving service-oriented values more intentionally into the fabric of our practice. We talk openly about the “why” behind what we do. We celebrate our involvement in community events, even on our website. We encourage each other to think beyond production numbers and instead focus on people.
Even small efforts–like donating small patient gifts for the Honduras trip, volunteering together, or writing cards to patients can shift the energy in powerful ways.
I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It is about creating spaces for others to thrive, modeling compassion, and being willing to roll up your sleeves when it counts. Service outside the practice has given me that perspective I carry daily.
If you are an office manager looking to lead with more purpose and heart, I encourage you to say yes to service opportunities, whether big or small. They will challenge you, change you, and help you grow into the kind of leader your team will love. You can help develop a culture rooted in meaning, heart, and connection.
It is not just about managing a practice but about leading a team that knows what it means to care for others.
About the Author
Christine Richardson, MAADOM
Christine (Tina) Richardson is the office manager at Mark E Richardson DDS in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where she works alongside her husband, a general dentist. Originally from Battle Creek, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Hope College and began her career in neurosurgery, neurology, and trauma care nursing.
After stepping away from nursing to raise their three children, she stayed actively involved in their schools and activities —serving as team mom, room mom, School Support President, etc. When their youngest entered high school, she returned to the workforce as her husband’s dental assistant and now proudly leads the practice as office manager. Dentistry runs in the family, as her husband followed in his father’s footsteps as a second-generation dentist.
She and her husband lived in Chicago during his time at Northwestern University Dental School before settling in Kalamazoo. Together, she and her husband also share a passion for mission work, providing dental care to underserved communities in Honduras.
In addition to her work in dentistry, she volunteers with several local organizations and is always looking for ways to give back. She enjoys reading, traveling the world, and spending time with family and friends.
