by Editor’s note: The DSO Secrets: Dentist Entrepreneurs Growing Dental Organizations Facebook page is a place to find resources, networking opportunities, information about upcoming industry events, and a forum to ask fellow dentist entrepreneurs questions you may have about running your business. The following was a recent discussion among DSO Secrets Facebook page members.
Praveen Gudipati asked: What three books would you suggest I recommend for my office manager? Also, any training courses you suggest how to be a leader.
A few of the DSO Secrets Facebook page members responses:
Nick Roy: “Emotional Intelligence,” “Extreme Ownership,” and “Gung Ho! Turn On the People in Any Organization.”
Bobby Hansen Jr.: “Start with Why.”
Char Watson: For books I would suggest the following based on soft skills needed.
1. “Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High,” Third Edition
2. “The Future is Trust: Embracing the Era of Trust-Centered Leadership”
I would further suggest strength assessments with Dr. Norton for the whole team so your OM can meet/coach/lead team members individually and collectively better.
Furthermore, I would gauge the need from the perspective of your vision for the organization as well as the phase your organization is currently at. Meaning, if your organization is in more of a growth phase but you have a vision to scale, there is likely the need to have further development of internal infrastructure. (Consider the needed roles and support at a higher level)
Tim Richardson: We have two required reads for everyone (not just leaders), plus one for non-doctor leaders. Doctors have a couple more on their Partnership Pathway.
1. “Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting Out of the Box.” This increases self-awareness (where any change begins). It is a very easy read because it is in story form.
2. “Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High.” Helps nip drama in the bud quickly. (We also do training specifically on “Radical Candor” but don’t require it to be read). What makes this an easy read is that it is very actionable and fairly short (replaced 7 Habits with this one because 7 Habits was over a lot of people’s heads).
3. “Easier: 60 Ways to Make Your Work Life Work for You.” Required for leadership. Also written in story form which helps non-readers. Helps leaders understand the difference between coaching and managing and how that conversation sounds very different.
For higher-level thinkers, “Tribal Leadership” is a fantastic read but it is much heavier than the others. Helps understand group human nature and what leaders can do to help the collective group to improve.
Having had required and recommended reads for quite a while now, book reads are only productive if there is some follow-up discussion and/or training on the principles. If nothing else, doing a book share / presentation with the team is helpful. Most helpful is them reviewing the content with their leader and a discussion on how to implement the principles.
