Are you planning to start a dental practice or will you be taking over an existing practice? Then you will soon face the fundamental question of leadership style. How do you want to lead your employees? We will introduce you to three different styles and explain how to find the right one for you and your team.

The authoritarian leadership style

If a practice is run in an authoritarian style, employees have no decision-making power. You as the head of the practice have complete control and run the practice as you see fit. This leadership style facilitates quick decision-making processes because you do not have to ask anyone for their approval. However, by doing so, you are disregarding the immense potential and knowledge of your employees. Often a second or third opinion on certain processes can be helpful. The authoritarian management style is also not very popular among employees. They will often be afraid of making mistakes and, thus, will be less satisfied and motivated.

The cooperative leadership style

This is the complete opposite of the authoritarian style. A cooperative leader tries to involve the entire team in all decisions. Nevertheless, superiors are aware of their role. They encourage and challenge their employees. A regular exchange, for example in fixed meetings, is considered helpful for setting goals. As a result, employees feel included, are more motivated, and learn to work independently. Longer decision-making processes can be seen as a disadvantage. However, a cooperative leadership style can unlock the full potential of your employees. Through different points of view, new ideas can help the dental practice thrive.

The laissez-faire leadership style

In the laissez-faire style, employees are expected to organize themselves without any guidance from a superior. There are no agreed-upon goals or objectives. Every employee does a little bit of everything. This, of course, promotes the independence of the team members. However, it also quickly leads to chaos in the practice, and—in the worst-case scenario—patients will notice. Since no superiors intervene in cases of conflict, rivalries among employees are not unusual.

Conclusion: the leadership style in dental practices is always individual

Even if the cooperative leadership style appears to be the most positive at first, it is usually not THE one style that is ideal for superiors and employees. It is much more about finding a healthy mix and listening to both yourself and your employees. You should also try to adapt your leadership style to each employee and situation. Not every employee wants to be supervised closely whereas others need just that to stay organized. Some situations require quick action. In other situations, it is more advisable to consult with and act in the best interest of the entire team. Try to be flexible because rigid structures can quickly block progress. So be clear about what kind of leader you want to be, listen to your team, and embrace leadership in your practice as an ongoing process.