DELEGATE: BUILDING YOUR DENTAL SLEEP MEDICINE DREAM TEAM

In the midst of a historic three-peat run, the 1993 Chicago Bulls’ legendary coach, Phil Jackson, took the court to play against the Phoenix Suns. It was a strange sight to behold. Coach Phil, in his suit and tie, inbounded the ball to himself, guarded Charles Barkley, and then screamed at himself to guard Danny Ainge. Needless to say, the Bulls lost, and Coach Phil never regained the respect of his players. Now, you may be wondering, how does this relate to dentists across the United States? Well, let’s dive into the lessons we can learn from this peculiar story.

Like Coach Phil attempting to play the game while coaching, many dentists try to do it all in their dental sleep medicine (DSM) practices. They want to be involved in every aspect, from patient care to medical billing. However, just like the Bulls’ defeat, this approach rarely leads to success. What you need is a dream team—a group of all-stars who can support you and propel your DSM practice to new heights.

Imagine a patient’s journey in your office taking no more than 60 minutes, from start to finish. It may seem impossible now, but with the right team in place, it’s a realistic goal. The key is to delegate and invest in your team members. Yes, there may be bumps along the way, but that shouldn’t deter you from embarking on this journey.

Delegating is not about micromanaging your team; it’s about empowering them. Provide them with the education, tools, and resources they need to excel in their roles. Trust them to make decisions and manage processes autonomously. Micromanagement only leads to stress, erodes trust and morale, and hinders the growth of your DSM practice.

Just as every member of a basketball team has a role, your DSM dream team should consist of individuals who bring different skills and expertise to the table. You need a solid front-office person who can handle scheduling, insurance, and patient interactions. A world-class assistant is worth their weight in gold, taking care of impressions, device deliveries, and back-office communications. And then there’s the sleep champion—the person who oversees screening, testing, and relationship management, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks.

With this dream team in place, you’ll experience the magic of synergy. Each team member will contribute their unique strengths, working together in perfect unison. You’ll move faster, achieve better patient outcomes, and have more bandwidth to focus on important issues. Your DSM practice will be like a rowboat gliding effortlessly above the water, powered by sinew, muscle, and endorphins.

Delegating effectively requires clear communication and framing of success. Describe the objectives and ensure everyone is moving forward together. By empowering your team and granting them autonomy, you’ll eliminate concerns and maintain control. Your team members will develop their skills, and your business will thrive as you focus on working on the business, not just in it.

Remember the wise words of Andrew Carnegie: “No person will make a great business who wants to do it all himself.” Embrace the power of delegation, build your dream team, and watch your DSM practice reach new heights. Success is not achieved alone—it’s a collaborative effort. Henry Ford said it best: “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.”

So, don’t sleep alone. Wake up to the possibilities of a strong, empowered team. Invest in your dream team, delegate effectively, and let them row alongside you toward a future of dental sleep medicine success. It’s time to unlock your full potential and build the practice you’ve always dreamed of.

If you want a deep dive on how to appropriately delegate to your sleep team including step-by-step tips on creating job descriptions, hiring, terminating, and employee reviews, order your copy of my new bestselling book Transform Dental Sleep available on Amazon. Come on, everybody’s doing it…