Who Would You Hire As Your Apprentice? You’re fired…..you’re fired….you’re fired…….YOU’RE HIRED!  Yes, another one of my favorite programs is coming to the end of its season.  Say what you want about the Donald, but I do enjoy his TV program, The Apprentice.  The personalities, the clashes, the back-biting, and the challenges, all make for great entertainment.  Can you imagine if you had such a diverse group of men and women come into your office to apply for a position as a DENTIST!  Who would you hire as your apprentice? Forget the job description.  What follows is a people description.  Use your imagination if you are not a dentist; these traits are universal. • Be authentic.  No phoniness or big egos allowed. • Know thyself.  Know what your values are, what you stand for, and what keeps you moving forward.  You must be able to honor your values in your everyday life and your practice. • Must have a clear vision of the future.  The path might not be evident, but know what you are reaching for.  What is the vision for your practice?  Write it out on paper. • Possess leadership qualities.  It is imperative that you are able to get your team on board with you.  They must share in your vision, feel listened to and appreciated.  • Doctor, lead by example.  What are your actions and words conveying? • Keep a positive, upbeat attitude and remain calm even on those stressful days. • Have a handle on your finances.  Personal debt bleeds into practice debt and vice versa.  Are you a big spender and trying to impress others?  Must you have the latest and most expensive of everything? • Listen to your own heart and what your gut is telling you.  Consultants do not have all the answers.  Make your own decisions. • Deal with conflict and do not run from it. The practice will not grow if you cave in constantly to employees and patients and you will ruin the lining of your stomach. • Be on the path of constant never ending improvement, but also be able to be happy where you are in the present. • Stand up for what you believe in. • Be interested in your patients and your team, not interesting. • Possess a great chairside manner.  Listen, care, and be available. • Be able to admit your mistakes, learn from them, and move on. • Be a doer. • Leave the baggage at home and do not drag it to the office.  Better yet is the person who is able to dump the baggage for good. • Possess an engaging personality – no cold potatoes allowed. You can add your own qualities to the list above.  What are you looking for in an apprentice?  How well do you stack up in this job interview?  After all, the apprentice is YOU!

“Good people are found, not changed.  Recently I read a headline that said, ‘We don’t teach our people to be nice.  We simply hire nice people.’  Wow!  What a clever short cut.”  Jim Rohn “Integrity is the most valuable and respected quality of leadership.  Always keep your word.”  Brian Tracy “You keep customers by delivering on your promises, fulfilling your commitments and continually investing in the quality of your relationships.”  Brian Tracy “Don’t just let your business or your job make something for you, let it make something of you.”  Jim Rohn

I doubt that Mr. Trump would have hired me to be his apprentice in the early days of my career.  Oh, I was personable, bright, and had excellent clinical skills, but my demeanor was lacking a few of the above traits.   I was bogged down by my own worries, the need to look good, my tendency to run from conflict (still working on that one), and my non-ability to stand up for myself. I would never have made it through the boardroom if someone was dishing on me. I would let team members and patients walk all over me because I wanted everybody to like me.  I listened way too much to consultants who thought they had all the answers, and I never had a good handle on my finances. Donald would have given me the boot midway through the season, if not before. But that’s all in the past.  Circumstances, reflection and awareness, the desire and intent to change, and much personal growth have led me to the winner’s stand.  I’ve even been an apprentice a few times since I closed my dental practice, temping on occasion for dentists who will be out of their office for awhile.  I’ve scored high marks in those positions and have received rave reviews from the doctors I worked for.  I can go into an office and be my personable self, get along well with team members and patients whom I have never met, be positive, listen, and care.  So Donald, look me in the eye, point your finger at me and say “You’re hired.”  Have a great week.

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