Dentaltown January 2025 - 6

HOWARD SPEAKS
DR. HOWARD
Conducting Success
A
s the founder and CEO of Farran
Media, I see my role as a symphony
conductor. Running a
dental practice or any business
means uniting skilled individuals to
create harmony. A dental offi ce isn't a
solo act, even in a solo practice-it's an
ensemble, and your job as the leader
isn't to play every instrument-it's to
guide the orchestra.
Finding the right musicians
Th ink of recruitment as assembling
the perfect symphony. Your instruments-your
team-must sound
great on their own and blend to create
a cohesive sound. Th is starts with
careful selection. A poorly hired front
desk coordinator is like a musician
out of tune-no matter how good
the rest of the team is, the result is
chaos. Write clear job descriptions
(sheet music), conduct insightful
interviews (auditions) and be damn
sure everyone understands the part
they'll play.
Some people just can't play
Not every musician will belong in your
orchestra. Sometimes, despite coaching
or second chances, an employee
continues to hit the wrong notes.
Keeping a consistently underperforming
team member is like allowing an
out-of-tune trombone to disrupt the
entire symphony-it diminishes the
experience for everyone, especially
patients.
Remember, the music you're creating
for your patients and your team is
more important than the discomfort
of a few diffi cult conversations.
Maintaining harmony
Once you've assembled your orchestra,
the next step is striking harmony.
Discord among staff is the equivalent
of a violinist playing out of sync with
the strings section-it's jarring and
noticeable. Regular team meetings
and one-on-one discussions are your
baton, keeping everyone on the same
tempo. When confl ict arises-and it
will-address it swiftly and decisively.
Better to tune an instrument mid-performance
than not at all.
Fine-tuning the performance
Th e best musicians still practice, and
so should your team. Practice does not
make perfect-perfect practice makes
perfect. Continuous training is like a
rehearsal-it refi nes skills and keeps
everyone at the top of their game. Your
clinical skills are not the only skills
that need continual sharpening. Find
opportunities to help your team help
themselves be better and the whole
offi ce will benefi t.
Seeing the whole score
As the conductor, you don't play an
instrument. Your job is to see the
entire score, anticipate changes
and guide the performance toward
its crescendo. Th is means stepping
back from the day-to-day tasks and
focusing on business strategy. Are you
setting the tempo for your team? Are
you watching for when certain sections-like
hygiene or billing-need
more attention? A great conductor
knows when to let the orchestra take
center stage and when to step in to
correct its rhythm.
JANUARY 2025 | 6 | DENTALTOWN.COM
FARRAN, DDS, MBA
Founder and CEO
Preparing for a new conductor
One day, another conductor-a new
associate dentist or eventual practice
buyer-might step onto the podium
to lead your symphony. When that
happens, the group you've assembled
should be so well-trained, harmonious
and cohesive that the transition feels
seamless. Th ink of your team as a
world-class orchestra ready to impress
any maestro. When another conductor
takes over and marvels at the smooth
operation you've left behind, it's a
testament to your leadership.
Building a legacy
A great symphony isn't about one
fl awless note-it's about how all the
instruments come together to create
something unforgettable. Your dental
practice is no diff erent. Patients won't
remember the small details of their
visit, but they will remember how your
team made them feel, how smoothly
everything fl owed and the results you
delivered. Th at's the crescendo: the
shared success of everyone performing
at their best. When your offi ce plays in
unison, the result isn't just a successful
business-it's a masterpiece. DT
See Howard Live!
Dentaltown founder Dr. Howard Farran,
known for engaging dentists worldwide,
is now taking his presentations on the
road. He will speak live on Jan. 24, 2025,
at the Waukesha County Dental Society
in Wisconsin.
To book Howard for your event, contact
Rebecca Wheeler at 480-341-9777 or
rebecca@farranmedia.com.
http://www.DENTALTOWN.COM
Dentaltown January 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown January 2025
