At The Dental A Team, we believe leadership isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being committed. Committed to growth, committed to clarity, and committed to your team. During our 2025 Virtual Summit, we took a deep dive into what we call “The Extraordinary Leadership Formula”—a framework that pairs successful leaders with practice profitability. Because let’s face it: one doesn’t thrive without the other.

As Simon Sinek said:

“There is no such thing as a perfect leader, only one who learns, adapts, and grows with their team.”

Whether you were able to attend or not, we wanted to share one of the most powerful takeaways from the summit: the common traits that separate high-performing practices from those that consistently struggle.

We analyzed hundreds of dental offices we’ve worked with over the years, and clear patterns emerged.

Here’s what the most successful leaders consistently do:

They implement quickly

They don’t just attend CE—they take action. Strategies are applied, tracked, and refined. They follow through.

They trust and empower their team

They set clear expectations and allow their office managers to lead. Micromanagement is out. Accountability is in.

They lead with data

These leaders make decisions based on key performance indicators, not gut feelings. Numbers guide every major move.

They stay consistent

Great leaders show up with emotional consistency. They don’t ride highs and lows—they steer the ship with steadiness.

They hold high standards

Mediocrity isn’t allowed to take root. Team members are coached, supported, and held accountable to excellence.

They care for their personal well-being

Almost all high-level leaders have strong routines outside of the office—whether it’s regular exercise, date nights, or time with family. Their life balance reflects in their business clarity.

Warning Signs of Struggling Leadership

On the flip side, we also identified some common trends among struggling dental leaders, regardless of production level:

🚩 They don’t trust their team
🚩 They avoid hard conversations
🚩 They’re driven by emotion, not strategy
🚩 They lack consistency and discipline
🚩 They have a “coach hopping” mentality but never implement
🚩 They blame external circumstances rather than take ownership
🚩 They don’t know their numbers—or avoid looking at them altogether

Sound familiar? You’re not alone—and you’re not stuck.

Successful leadership is a Skill. Let’s Build It.

The good news? Extraordinary leadership isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build—intentionally and consistently.

At Dental A Team, we help dentists:

Step into confident leadership
Create loyal, empowered teams
Use numbers to drive smart decisions
Build systems that actually stick

And the result?
Lower stress. Higher profitability. Teams that stay. And a business that supports your life—not one that drains it.

Want to Know Which Side You’re On?

If you’re not sure where your leadership currently stands, we’d love to help. Start with a FREE Practice Growth Call—we’ll help you identify where the gaps are and exactly what to do next!

Because at the end of the day—your team, your patients, and your future need the best version of you leading the way.

Don't forget to check out our podcast for more tips.

What Successful Leaders Do Differently