Stepping out of dental school and into a leadership role is an incredibly challenging move to make. The truth is that while you learn a lot of what you need in school, how to be a great leader is not part of it. One of the most important aspects of leadership is how to handle conflict in the workplace, because like Kirk says, “unresolved conflict becomes a crisis.” It’s natural to shy away from conflict, but instead of avoiding it, it’s crucial to embrace it, because conflict is actually a powerful tool that will help you build trust in your practice.
Too many people hear the word “conflict,” and associate it with a confrontation. However, conflict isn’t about arguments or drama, but rather open, honest conversations that build trust, foster understanding, and drive progress. Instead of pointing fingers, it’s asking “How can we improve this together?” Instead of attacking problems, it’s approaching them with curiosity and collaboration.
Learning how to embrace conflict in your practice starts with a mindset shift—you need to start seeing conflict as something helpful, rather than harmful. It can be difficult for team members to understand that challenge and disagreement can be positive, so as the leader, it’s your job to lead the way by fostering a culture of productive conflict. When you demonstrate that productive conflict is non-negotiable, you’re setting your team up for truly powerful growth. Some tips I recommend to help you build this culture are:
- Creating regular team check-ins. By creating a system of healthy habits in which team members feel comfortable celebrating their wins, challenging viewpoints, and sharing ideas, you’ll promote the idea of vulnerability-based trust.
- Continuously practice how to have tough conversations. The truth is, no matter how difficult it is to have these conversations, it will get easier the more you practice them. As both you and your team do so, you’ll see trust grow, which will motivate you even further! We have some incredible resources that deal with some of our favorite frameworks for conversations, so join the Best Practices Association TODAY and take advantage of them!
Ultimately, conflict isn’t confrontation—it’s an opportunity to have a conversation and move forward as an aligned team. When you avoid conflict, you feel safe initially, but in the long run it will have a negative impact on your practice. Embracing the conflict as a tool, however, will open the door to honest, collaborative dialogue that will foster growth, teamwork, and trust in your practice.
To learn more about ACT and how we can help you build a Better Practice and a Better Life, reach out to Gina today!
Take it a step further and join us for our July session of our awesome To The Top Study Club, where you’ll learn how to take your leadership skills to the next level!
Tune in next time and learn the secrets of how even the busiest dentist can find time for alignment!
