There is a myth that business success is only possible if you abandon your values and become a cold heartless profiteer. Certainly, news headlines play into that narrative with stories about companies behaving in undesirable ways: compromising personal privacy, exploiting market monopolies, firing thousands of employees to save a few bucks, offshoring operations and destroying a local economy in the process, etc.

Business itself is not inherently to blame. But whenever decision-making in a business is corporatized and distanced from the real-life communities of their customers and employees, businesses can become less human, less caring, and less rooted in values that make the world a better place.

Discovering your vision and values

When I speak to doctors at Endo Mastery events or in 1-on-1 practice analysis conversations, a key part of my job is to listen and understand the doctor’s vision, values and goals. Often this isn’t stated directly because most people don’t think of themselves as having a powerful and compelling vision, and values are just a natural part of them that is often difficult to articulate.

Instead, what I often hear about is frustrations, limits and goals in their practice and life. The issues that doctors share paint a picture of how their unspoken vision and values aren’t fully aligned and expressed in their day-to-day reality. For example, a team issue often reveals what kind of relationship, environment and team dynamic that the doctor really wants to achieve.

Vision and values should influence and inform every aspect of the practice. As you think deeper about your vision, here are some key value questions to ask yourself:

• How should patients feel about you and your practice?
• How should referrers feel about you and your practice?
• How should your team feel about working for you?
• How should your community perceive your practice?
• How does your practice support your family goals?
• What does an enjoyable day in your practice feel like?
• What makes you feel at peace and enjoying your career?
• What level of economic success fully rewards you?
• What level of time freedom and time off is ideal for you?

Grow who you are, don’t change who you are

We are exceptionally good at Endo Mastery at helping doctors grow their practices and become more successful. But what is more important to us is that the growth isn’t the result of sacrificing what is important to you.

We want growth to strengthen you, not change you. Higher practice success gives you more resources and options to express your vision and values in your practice, family, life and community.

To explore your vision, values and goals, and to get a comparative understanding of your practice and the possibilities in endodontics, take advantage of a complimentary practice analysis with Endo Mastery.