What Toxic Leadership Taught Me About Building Trust
When I joined Tiger Family Dental in 2019, I wasn’t in a leadership role. I came in with years of experience from community health, ready for a fresh start in private practice. What I didn’t expect was how deeply I’d come to understand the impact of workplace culture and how important leadership becomes when things go wrong.
In those early months, the energy was exciting. We had just moved into a brand-new space, the team was growing, and the possibilities felt endless. I was learning new systems, expanding into dental billing, and feeling reenergized.
By mid-year 2021, things changed. I found myself struggling, not just personally with mental health challenges, but professionally within a toxic team dynamic. The office culture had taken a turn.
I wasn’t in a position of authority, but I felt the weight of poor leadership every day. Ultimately, I made the difficult choice to leave, even though I loved the patients, the practice, and what it had the potential to be.
Sometimes, Walking Away Isn’t Giving Up; It’s Making Space for the Life You’re Meant to Build
That’s when I realized something: you don’t have to be in charge to recognize what’s broken. But if you ever get the chance, you can choose to lead differently. Lead by example, lead with grace, and lead with integrity.
I spent the next five months working remotely in dental billing, healing, and gaining perspective. I missed the patient interactions and the in-person team collaboration, but I also gained clarity on what kind of work environment actually fuels growth, connection, and retention.
Then, in March 2022, came a message from Dr. Jon Ehlers, inviting me back—this time, as Office Manager. It was unexpected. I was nervous. But I said yes, not because I had all the answers, but because I believed we could build something better together.
What Followed Wasn’t a Perfect Transformation—But it Was Intentional
We worked to rebuild trust. We had honest conversations. We redefined what we wanted our culture to look like, not just as a leadership team, but as a full staff. Over time, the changes began to take root. People started showing up differently. New team members joined and thrived. We grew, not just in numbers, but in strength.
Today, in 2025:
- We have expanded our physical space with five new operatories.
- We have added more hygienists and another doctor.
- But most importantly, we have built a culture where people feel safe, supported, and seen.
Here’s What I’ve Learned
- Culture happens by design or by default. If you’re not shaping it, it’s shaping you.
- Leadership is earned in the quiet moments. It’s how you respond to tension, how you show up in hard seasons, and how you treat people when no one’s watching.
- Growth isn’t just about numbers; it’s about trust. And trust takes time, consistency, and humility.
I did not start in leadership. But once I had the chance, it was time to make a difference. We lead in a way that values people and builds a team/family, not just staff members.
We remind ourselves to never forget what it felt like to be on the other side of toxic leadership because that memory fuels every decision we make now.
About the Author
Holly Hatfield, FAADOM
Born and raised in Missouri, Holly Hatfield is a proud Air Force Veteran who swore in on September 11, 2001, and deployed during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
I’m a grateful Mom to an incredible son, wife to a supportive and inspiring husband, and Practice Manager at Tiger Family Dental, where I’m honored to serve alongside an outstanding team.
