We know how important it is to have a vision for your business. I’ve spent a lot of time explaining to dentists around the Nation that in order to have a clear vision, you need to step into the future and experience it. Live in the world where your vision is realized by looking around: what does your practice look like? How many operatories? Staff? Technology? Drive down the street: what kind of car are you driving and what do your surroundings look like? What personal activities are you enjoying? You understand my point in that in order to achieve it, you need to dream it. Old adage, completely appropriate.
Next, you might have a mission statement for your practice. This is the verbiage you share with clients and patients: a formalized statement of your aims, goals and values for your intended audience. It tells them what your business does and stands for and how you will go about accomplishing it.
One thing many practice owners miss, however, is their personal manifesto. It’s not necessarily something you share with others verbally or in writing, though you may, but rather a promise to yourself and an accountability tool that you can refer to, especially when things get tough.
Crafting a Manifesto: Set the Scene
A personal manifesto should be the frame for how you live your life and be a source to remind yourself the values you want to uphold. Consider it a compass showing you your True North. The most important factor to remember is this: don’t let yourself off easy. Dig deep to find the things you refuse to compromise on as well as areas you want to be better in. A manifesto is not often crafted in one short sitting. Block out some uninterrupted time, and begin writing. 
I’m a big fan of free-writing for these exercises. They allow you to pour your thoughts out without regard to sentence structure, grammar or punctuation. When you feel you’ve hit a wall, stop, put it away and come back to it with fresh eyes a little later. You may find some things are “fluff” and that there were others you missed. To help you out, here is a list of things to consider:
- What do you stand for?
- What is your strongest belief?
- What changes will you work towards?
- How will you treat others?
- What things are non-negotiable?
- How will you handle disappointment?
- How will you approach life?
- How will you treat your body? Your money? Your time?
Write Your Manifesto
Once you’ve identified those qualities you want to uphold, start with a personal statement. An example of this could be:
“I choose to live my life in such a way that I am accountable not only to myself but to those I live, love or work with. To do this, I commit to myself that I…”
Now, you’ll follow it up with your list. Make sure that when you write it that it’s concise, and not so long that you can’t scan it easily to help you when you need it. I’ll give you an idea of some statements that have been included in personal manifestos:
- I focus on things which are in my control, not outside my sphere of influence.
- I am independent of the opinions of others.
- I choose to live a life that begins with “why not”.
- I aim to serve those I lead with kindness and gratitude.
- I will communicate in a way that my words are understood.
- I will invest in others as much as I do myself.
- I will maintain trust with others by being authentic and transparent.
These are simply examples and there may be other areas you’d like to cover.
Finally, Why a Dentist-Leader Really Needs a Manifesto
Besides the obvious intention of clarifying who you are and what you stand for, writing a manifesto will allow you to lead your team with the integrity both you and they deserve. It prevents you from taking shortcuts that lead to shortfalls because many find taking the moral high road can be difficult when the pressure is turned up. You can easily become a person you wouldn’t want to be friends with, or work for. Having these standards allows you to lead from an authentic place and a place of authority- over yourself as much as your team. And as I always say, when a team has trust, is engaged and working at a high level, the patients you serve reap the benefit, too.
Lastly, don’t forget to print it out. Make a copy to keep in your wallet and save it as a note on your phone. If you need to, frame it and keep it on your desk. If you honor yourself by following it, you can place a mirror next to it, as well, because knowing you’ve lived, loved and lead according to it will make viewing your reflection that much easier.
Until next time,
Peace, Joy and Success!
Ascendant Dental Development LLC is built on the solid foundation of positive communication, both in the workplace and personal space. As a certified, master executive, personal and leadership coach, as well as a certified communication trainer with over 30 years in the dental field, we bring a new twist to dental practices and staff, focus primarily on leadership, team-building, communication skills, and case presentation techniques. We offer in-office workshops, individual coaching and also provide lectures to larger groups. We are proud members of many organizations including the Academy of Management, the Institute of Coaching, the Via Institute and others. We are currently filling our schedule for 2019-20 and encourage you to call us Toll Free to learn more @ 833-876-TEAM ( 833-876-8326 )