Leading with Accompaniment: When Support Means More Than Solutions

Thanks to a gift from one of our coaching clients and BPA members, Dr. Chris Mazzola, I'm reading a book authored by David Brooks called "How to Know a Person." Thanks Chris! One idea in particular, spoke to me. Frankly, it pointed out how I could have been better in just about all my close relationships, including those in my dental practice. Instead of solving problems for others around me or sharing my "wisdom" with anybody brave enough to share with me their troubles, Brooks describes a presence called accompaniment. It's profound and I'll bet after reading more, you will  identify many past instances where you would have been better to show up and support rather than inspire, educate, and solve.

Leadership in a dental practice is about more than managing schedules, overseeing patient care, and achieving business goals. It’s about building meaningful connections with your team and patients. One of the most transformative ways to do this is through accompaniment.

Accompaniment, as Brooks describes it, is the act of being present with someone—walking alongside them in their journey, whether it’s through triumph or hardship.

What Does Accompaniment Look Like in a Dental Practice?

Accompaniment is not about solving every problem for your team or patients. Instead, it’s about being a steady presence, offering support, and creating an environment where people feel truly seen and valued. Here are three practical ways dentists can embrace accompaniment:

1. Listen Beyond Words
   When working with your team or patients, listen not just to their words but also to their body language, tone, and emotional cues. For team members, this might mean understanding their stressors or aspirations. For patients, it’s about recognizing anxiety or hesitation and addressing it with compassion. Trust flourishes when people feel deeply heard.
2. Be Present in the Process
   Whether coaching a team member through a new skill or comforting a nervous patient, your consistent presence makes a difference. Show up not just physically but emotionally. For your team, this could mean being a mentor in their professional growth. For patients, it’s about ensuring they feel safe and supported throughout their treatment. As dentists, we are in the business solving problems.  I get it. However, what if we more often asked questions that pointed others in the direction to solve their own challenges? 
3. Encourage Growth Through Support
   Accompaniment means fostering an environment where team members feel empowered to take risks and grow. Celebrate their successes and help them learn from setbacks. Similarly, with patients, provide encouragement and education to help them take control of their oral health journey, reinforcing their confidence every step of the way.

Build Relationships using Accompaniment. 

In a fast-paced dental practice, it’s easy to focus solely on efficiency and outcomes. However, dentists who practice accompaniment cultivate deeper relationships with both their teams and their patients. This leads to higher employee engagement, better patient experiences, and a practice culture rooted in trust and care. Accompaniment reminds us that dentistry, at its heart, is about relationships.

A Call to Action.

As a dentist, you have the unique opportunity to impact lives—not just through clinical expertise but through how you journey with those around you. Take a moment today to practice accompaniment. Listen deeply, be present, and support your team and patients with empathy and care. The ripple effects of this approach extend far beyond the operatory, shaping the culture of your practice and the well-being of those you serve.

In the words of David Brooks, "To accompany someone is to affirm their worth and remind them they are not alone." Let this philosophy guide your practice and leadership.