Leading in Dentistry – Details, episodes & analysis

 I recently had the chance to join Dr. DeAngelo Webster on the Practice Biopsy podcast to talk about leadership in dentistry—what it is, what it isn’t, and how anyone can step into it, title or not. We discussed how great leaders multiply impact, why trust is the foundation of influence, and how the TEACH model helps create systematic, measurable growth. Whether you’re leading a practice, a team, or just yourself, this conversation breaks down leadership into real, actionable steps. 

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In this episode, Dr. Wes Eggett breaks down the 5 Lies of Culture, a concept taught by Ginger Hardage, and explains why these misconceptions can hold businesses—and dental practices—back from reaching their full potential. He dives into how culture isn’t just about perks or mission statements on the wall, but about the daily leadership actions that shape a thriving team.

Dr. Eggett challenges the idea that culture is someone else’s job, emphasizing that every team member, from the front desk to the operatory, plays a role in shaping the patient experience and work environment. He also tackles the fear that empowering employees leads to losing control—when in reality, giving people ownership within a structured framework leads to stronger teams and better results. Finally, he dispels the myth that culture is expensive, offering practical, low-cost strategies that any dental office can use to build engagement, retention, and a more positive workplace.

If you’ve ever wondered why some workplaces thrive while others struggle with morale and turnover, this episode is for you. Tune in to learn how to cultivate a strong, values-driven culture in your dental practice—without waiting for someone else to do it.

💡 Key Takeaways:
✔ Culture isn’t about perks—it’s a driver of business success.
✔ Every employee shapes culture, not just the practice owner.
✔ Values must be lived out daily, not just displayed on a wall.
✔ Empowering employees strengthens a business, rather than weakening control.
✔ You don’t need a big budget to build a great culture—leadership behaviors make the difference.

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In this episode, we explore the groundbreaking work of Robert Cialdini, the social psychologist who identified six universal principles of influence: reciprocity, commitment and consistency, social proof, authority, liking, and scarcity. Cialdini’s research, conducted in the 1970s and early 1980s, sheds light on how people are persuaded to say "yes" in everyday situations, from sales and marketing to leadership and decision-making.

After exploring the ideas behind these principles, Dr. Eggett gives real world examples of how different dental team members can implement their knowledge of these principles to build leadership and ownership over their positions in the dental office.

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In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Wes Eggett reviews the recent changes made to the disciplinary process in the office where he works. He also talks about the importance of having a disciplinary plan in place and how laying out what "being in trouble" looks like can actually make your employees feel more safe while in the workplace!

References:
Simon Sinek on Trusting Teams

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In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Wes Eggett takes inspiration from a recent interview between Andy Stanley and Adam Grant about unlocking hidden potential through learning how to sit with discomfort.

Dr. Eggett walks listeners through the TEACH leadership model and how each aspect of leadership requires someone to develop the skills of being comfortable with being uncomfortable.

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In this episode of Leading in Dentistry, Dr. Wes Eggett explores the critical importance of building trusting teams, inspired by Simon Sinek’s influential talk on the subject. Trust isn’t just a nice-to-have in a dental practice; it’s the foundation that allows team members to perform at their best, feel safe to share concerns, and innovate without fear of retribution. Dr. Eggett emphasizes that leadership is about creating an environment where trust can flourish, which, in turn, leads to exceptional patient care and a more cohesive team.

The episode also delves into six key retention strategies taught by the Team Training Institute that align perfectly with the idea of cultivating a trusting and supportive workplace. These strategies include ensuring sufficient pay, providing adequate benefits, fostering good communication, offering growth opportunities, promoting a positive work culture, and maintaining a reasonable workload. By implementing these strategies, dental leaders can not only build trust within their teams but also retain their top talent, ensuring long-term success and satisfaction for both staff and patients.

Key Takeaways:

• Trusting Teams: Trust is foundational in creating an environment where team members feel safe to be themselves, admit mistakes, and ask for help without fear. This leads to higher performance and better patient care.
• Six Retention Strategies:
  • Sufficient Pay: Regularly review and adjust pay to ensure team members are compensated fairly compared to local standards.
  • Adequate Benefits: Continuously improve benefits to stay competitive within the industry.
  • Good Communication: Keep the team informed with strategic plans, goals, and decisions to build transparency and trust.
  • Growth Opportunities: Provide clear paths for professional development through training, retreats, and continued education.
  • Positive Work Culture: Create a workplace driven by mission, vision, values, and traditions that foster a sense of purpose and belonging.
  • Reasonable Workload: Ensure the team is fully staffed or adjust the schedule to prevent burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Actionable Advice:

• Reflect on your own leadership style and assess the level of trust within your team. Start implementing small, consistent actions to build or strengthen trust.
• Review your practice’s pay, benefits, and workload management to ensure they align with the retention strategies discussed.

Call to Action:

• Share your experiences with building trusting teams or implementing retention strategies in your practice. Visit LeadinginDentistry.com or connect on Instagram @dr.weseggett to join the conversation.

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In this episode of Leading in Dentistry, Dr. Wes Eggett explores the 7 signs of self-sabotage and how these behaviors can hinder success in the dental profession. We discuss the ways dental professionals often get in their own way, from perfectionism to procrastination and burnout. Learn how these self-defeating habits show up in the day-to-day lives of dentists, hygienists, and staff members, and get actionable strategies to overcome them.

Dr. Eggett breaks down the most common types of self-sabotage in the dental field, including being overly self-critical, disorganized, and feeling like an imposter. Listen in to understand why these behaviors are so prevalent and, most importantly, how to take proactive steps to avoid them. Whether you’re a dentist, assistant, or part of the office team, this episode offers insights that will help you recognize and conquer the ways you might be holding yourself back.

Key Takeaways:

• The 7 signs of self-sabotage and their impact on your career and well-being.
• Real-life examples of how these behaviors manifest in various dental roles.
• Practical solutions for breaking free from self-sabotage and fostering a healthier work environment.

Videos Resources:

• Psych2Go: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tbrj9aNRxr4
• Struthless: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ns96WM7C78
• Simon Sinek on Trusting Teams: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5qQJhe7sLE

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In this episode, Dr. Eggett covers the concept of "Accidental Diminishers" as taught by Liz Wiseman in the book "Multipliers." The idea is that sometimes, the good intentions we have are actually the thing that undermines what we're trying to accomplish!

This episode outlines what the nine types of accidental diminishers are and how to solve your problems for whatever accidental diminishing qualities you have - because rest assured, you have them!

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In this episode, Dr. Wes Eggett reviews some key frameworks for developing trust with new members of the dental team. He talks about the Team Training Institute's "3-3-3 System" for onboarding new hires and the idea of implementing a "Black Belt System" for training staff members after they've been onboarded (as taught by Dr. Mark Costes and the Dental Success Institute).

This episode also makes a few call backs to past episodes, including Brene Brown's discussions on the anatomy of trust and the techniques Dr. Eggett used to receive 150+ job applicants in one week on Indeed. If you haven't yet had the chance to check out these episodes, take a listen!

And, if you're finding these episodes helpful, be sure to subscribe and leave a review!

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In this episode of the podcast, Dr. Wes Eggett reviews a recent TED Talk from Martin Gutmann about how we often celebrate the wrong leaders. This episode also discusses the Action Fallacy and addresses how to stay calm amid the highs and lows of working in a dental practice.

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