There’s one fatal flaw we see a lot of dental practice owners make…
They think they know everything about their practice.
Don’t get me wrong, they certainly know a lot. But there are also hidden nooks and crannies they don’t see, perspectives they might not consider, and problems they’ve not yet realised.
The mark of a truly great business owner, is one who’s not afraid to ask questions and seek new opinions and ideas.
In fact – your ability to ask questions and solicit feedback about your practice might just be the difference between a business that thrives, a business that survives, and a business that falls flat.
Here are 7 questions every dental practice should ask both themselves, and a few intelligently chosen people around them.
What can I do better?
This single question can put you lightyears ahead of the competition. Continuous growth is an admirable quality, and all the best practice owners know that mastery is a lifelong journey.
Instead of trying to drastically overhaul everything you do, just focus on making small improvements and tweaks to your current work.
Making a habit of asking “What can I do better?” will quickly allow you to become the best in business.
What’s my end goal?
If you don’t know what you’re working towards, then all you’re doing is stabbing in the dark. You need to first know where you’re going, then design a strategy and a course of action that helps you get there.
Your goal might be bigger or even smaller than others and it might change over time. But you never want to be working without a clear destination in mind.
If you aim at nothing, that’s where you’ll go.
Do I need to reflect and rest?
You’re not going to do your best work if you haven’t given yourself enough time to slow down and pause.
Being in business requires us to make some big decisions – ones you certainly don’t want to make when you’re impulsive, overtired, and in the heat of the moment.
To be the best owner you can for your practice, you need time to think, strategise, and consider all the information at hand before making a call.
What’s the risk and the cost?
If you talk to anyone who’s achieved a great level of success – billionaires, athletes, world record breakers – they’ll tell you that it didn’t come without a price.
Success in business means investing time, money, energy, and making sacrifices in pursuit of a bigger goal.
That doesn’t mean they won’t be worth it or that they’ll always be huge. But instead of getting wrapped up in the possibilities and opportunities and goals you have, remember to keep one foot on the ground and consider what they’ll cost you.
Is bigger actually better?
Before you grow your practice you need to have a strong foundation in place.
When your practice grows, any mess or problems or issues you have will grow too. If you grow too fast, you risk letting things get out of hand and losing control
Focus on better before you get bigger.
Am I clear on my “why?”
We all want to do work that matters to us, that feels meaningful and fulfils our sense of purpose.
Simon Sinek refers to this as your “why?” Why are you doing this? Why did you want to own a dental practice? Why is this work important to you?
If you don’t know what your why is, you can’t hope to answer it.
Do I care enough?
As a dental practice owner, you sit in the dual role of a healthcare worker and as a business that provides a service.
Both require you to care deeply about the work that you do.
Your patients are coming to you to help restore and maintain their health, which often leaves them vulnerable. If they don’t feel like you care about their wellbeing and comfort then they’ll find another practice pretty quickly.
Your treating people, not teeth. Humans are constantly searching for connection, meaning, and relationships – so make sure you’re bringing yourself back to that place every day.
These are some great questions to ask both yourself, and a few select people you trust to be honest with you. By genuinely looking for the answers and having the humility to accept them whatever they are, you’re going to be well on the road.
