Leadership, Self-Reflection, and Loving Yourself

Let’s be honest—leadership in an orthodontic practice isn’t always picture-perfect; in fact, it rarely ever is. Sure, there are those magical days when everything runs smoothly—patients are happy, the schedule flows perfectly, and your team is running like a well-oiled machine. But then there are the other days when the bracket bin is mysteriously empty, the schedule feels like a game of Tetris, and you’re trying to give pep talks in between fixing patient emergencies.

Here’s the thing: great leadership in an orthodontic practice doesn’t mean having all the answers or never making mistakes. It means taking a step back, looking inward, and asking, “How can I show up as the best version of myself for my team and my patients?”

Why Self-Reflection Is Your Leadership Superpower

Leadership isn’t just about managing systems and schedules—it’s about people. And the more you understand yourself, the better you’ll lead others. Self-reflection is how you get there.

When you hit pause and look inward, you gain clarity on what’s working and what isn’t. You can ask yourself questions like:

• “Am I leading with my values, or just reacting to the daily grind?”
• “How do I show my team I appreciate them—even on the tough days?”
• “Am I creating a culture where people feel valued and excited to come to work?”

Here’s a hard truth: your team looks to you for cues on how to act and feel in the workplace. If you’re rushing, overwhelmed, or short on patience, it trickles down. ← Read that again! But when you take time to reflect, show up with purpose, and model self-awareness, your team feels it—and they’ll mirror it.

The Power of Knowing (and loving) Yourself

It’s easy to get so caught up in the day-to-day of running a practice that you lose sight of yourself as a leader. But when you pause to understand your own quirks, tendencies, and motivations, you start to unlock your potential.

Maybe you’re great at focusing on results but need to remind yourself to slow down and connect with your team. Or maybe you’re a people person who sometimes struggles with setting boundaries. Self-awareness doesn’t mean beating yourself up—it means leaning into your strengths and finding ways to grow in the areas that need it.

Here’s where tools like DiSC come in. By understanding your DiSC profile—whether you're a Dominant, Influential, Steady, or Conscientious type—you gain deeper insight into how you interact with others, how you make decisions, and how you respond under pressure. This knowledge can be a game-changer for self-reflection, helping you align your natural tendencies with your leadership goals. It allows you to better understand your team and how to approach them in ways that resonate with their unique styles.

When you lead from a place of self-awareness, something beautiful happens:

• You stop striving to be a “perfect” leader and start embracing your authentic self.

• You love the work you do because it reflects your values and purpose.

• You show your team what it means to be a thoughtful, intentional leader—and inspire them to follow suit.

Leading with Love

In an orthodontic practice, it’s all about the smiles—your patients’ and your team’s. And creating an environment where people thrive starts with love:

• Love for your people. Show your team that they’re more than just employees—they’re valued, appreciated, and part of something bigger.

• Love for your purpose. Remember why you chose orthodontics in the first place—to change lives and make a positive impact.

• Love for yourself. Reflect on your leadership, embrace your imperfections, and laugh at the inevitable awkward moments.

This February, let’s make it a priority to love ourselves as leaders, so we can lead with compassion, joy, and confidence.

Want a simple way to start? Ask yourself:

• “What’s one thing I can do today to make my team’s day better?”

• “How can I take five minutes this week to reflect on how I’m leading?”

• “What do I love most about the work I do?”

When you lead with love, your team will feel it. Your patients will feel it. And most importantly, you’ll feel it. Because leadership is about more than just running a practice—it’s about creating a space where people thrive and bloom. 💕