📍  Welcome back to dentistry support the podcast. I'm your host, Sarah Beth Herman. And I'm thrilled to have you here with me today. In this episode, I am talking about the very essence of what it means to lead a company toward longterm success.  Now, when we talk about success. Especially at the executive level, we're not just talking about hitting quarterly goals or expanding on market share. Although, those are really important things. We're talking about something much more profound. Building a foundation that not only sustains your business. But it propels it into the future. Creating a legacy that will outlast any of us.  Today. 

I want to talk about three core pillars that are really important to this journey. Strategic marketing. Cohesive team development. And a generational approach to leadership.  Each of these elements when they are aligned.  And executed the right way. They create a lasting impact that reverberates through every level of your organization.  

Let's start with a reality that many of us in leadership know all too well.  And the fast paced world of business, particularly at the executive level. It is easy. Almost too easy. To get caught up in the day-to-day operations, the emails, the meetings, the endless to do lists. It's a whirlwind of activity. That while it is all very necessary. It can often distract us from the bigger picture.  But here's the thing.  If we are only ever reacting to what is directly in front of us. We miss the opportunity to shape what lies ahead.  We lose sight of the vision that initially drove us to lead. Build and to create.  And that's why today's conversation is so important.  

What if we shifted our focus. What if instead of merely managing tasks, we started building an experience. A, legacy, if you will.  Imagine leading your company or your team. Not just with the goal of getting through the week.  But with the intention of creating something that will endure for decades. Something that will inspire the next generation of leaders.  To do this. 

We need to elevate our thinking beyond the immediate. We need to cultivate a strategic mindset that aligns our daily actions with our long-term vision.  This is where strategic marketing comes into play.  Not a series of isolated campaigns.  But as a cohesive narrative that tells the world who we are and why we matter.  We also have to focus on team development.  Our teams are not just collections of individuals performing tasks.  They are the heart and soul of our businesses.  When we invest in their growth.  When we develop their skills and nurture their potential. We're not just building a stronger company. 

We're building a community of leaders that will carry our vision forward.  

And finally, we must adopt a generational approach to leadership.  This means thinking beyond our own tenure. And considering how the decisions we make today. We'll impact those that come after us.  It's about mentoring. Guiding. And empowering the next wave of leaders. So they are equipped to take the reins and continue the legacy that we started.  

So as we move through today's episode, I want you to keep this in mind.  Leadership. Isn't just about managing the present. It's about shaping the future. It's about building a foundation so strong. It can withstand the test of time and create a lasting impact that resonates for generations.  That is the essence of what we're discussing today. And I'm excited to get right into this with you. Let's get to work.

 When we discuss marketing at a high level. It is really important for you to think beyond the immediate tasks or services that your company provides. It's not just about what your business does. It's about the experience, your clients or patients or customers walk away with.  In today's marketplace, where every industry is more competitive than ever. The experience differentiates you from all the rest.  People want to feel part of something bigger. They want to know that by working with you, they are contributing to something meaningful.  Consider this for a moment.  According to a study by Deloitte companies that focused on customer experience are 60% more profitable. Than those that don't.  That to me is a very powerful statistic. It shows how critical it is. That we ensure every interaction reflects our brand's core values.  So, how do we create that experience?  Every touch point. From the first contact to the follow-up. Has to be seamless.  It isn't just about efficiency. But instead building trust and loyalty.  

John Maxwell is one of my favorite authors. And in this podcast today, you're going to hear so many different quotes from him. But they're all equally important.  In his book, the five levels of leadership. He talks about the importance of influence. Saying that leadership is not about titles positions or flow charts. It's about one life influencing another.  That same principle applies to how we market our businesses. Every interaction should influence our clients. And a way that they feel valued and connected to the vision that we are building.  

Let's take a closer look at the internal mindset. Particularly within the marketing teams that we all lead.  It's easy to see tasks like social media posts or campaign followups as just items to check off a list.  But at a higher level, marketing is not about tasks. It's about strategy.  Every action, every piece of content. It has to align with the overarching goal of reinforcing your brand's narrative. And driving the experience home.  I want to challenge each of you listening today. To approach your work with intentionality.  Ask yourself. How does what I'm doing right now. Contribute to the bigger picture.  How does this enhance our brand's presence and impact?  



Here's a fun fact. 

I found. According to a report by HubSpot. Businesses that prioritize marketing efforts to focus on building long-term relationships rather than short-term gains are 13 times more likely to see a positive ROI.   This means that the strategic approach, rather than the tactical one. Is what will actually drive sustained success.  

I think it's also important to recognize that everyone on our team wants to feel useful and impactful just like our customers.  But for that to happen, we have to move past the notion of simply completing tasks. Instead, we should be focusing on how each task contributes to the overall mission and how it builds the experience we want to offer.  This ties us all back to what John Maxwell says in the 21 irrefutable laws of leadership. 

Go get the book.  He says the true measure of leadership is influence. Nothing more and nothing less.  

As leaders, we often wonder why certain people are drawn to work with us. And I think the answer is really simple.  People are attracted to growth.  They want to be part of something, dynamic, something that pushes the boundaries of what's possible.  This is the vision we have to build.  Not just within our company, 

but in the way we present ourselves to the world.  When you create a culture of growth. You attract those who are eager to contribute to that vision.  

This environment fosters innovation and it drives your company forward.  Uh, study by Gallup found that companies with high employee engagement are 21% more profitable.   This statistic for me reinforces the importance of cultivating a culture where growth is not just encouraged. But it is the core of your company's ethos.  



I want to shift gears for a brief moment and talk about conflict resolution. 

I know that. Probably seems really random. Based on what I've shared with you so far. Nonetheless in any high level business challenges will arise. How we handle these situations can either strengthen or weaken our relationships with clients and partners. Instead of offering single solutions, consider presenting multiple options.  This right here. Empowers your clients. 

It shows them that you're attentive to their needs. And committed to finding the best possible outcome. Take door dash for example. Door dash is an example that when you have a problem, maybe you didn't get your order. Or you did get your order, but there was something wrong with it. If you reach out to their customer service, they typically offer you one of three options. One, I can have the order replaced. To I can add a credit immediately. To your door dash account for future orders. Or three, I can refund the money to the method you paid with, but that will take up to seven business days to refund to your bank. 

It's according to your bank as to how fast it will come back.  Now of those three options, you get to choose. There's nothing outside of that, but they're addressing all of the different ways. Someone may want to be compensated back.  Now the options that cost them the least amount of money is always going to be first.  And then the option that gets a repeat buyer is going to be the second one. And the option that they really don't want to give you, but they know it will keep a customer coming back. Is to give you all of your money back. 

You still got the food and you got all the money back.  You see, when you give people options. You see, when you give that customer of yours options? You're not only resolving the issue effectively. But you're reinforcing the experience you're creating just like door dash. Did. It's about being proactive, clear, and specific in your communication and your solutions.  Another great thing that John Maxwell says is in the book, developing the leader within you.  He says a leader is one who knows the way goes the way and shows the way.  

I had a mentor that used to repeat that to me all the time.  

I learned for me. That when I know what's going on, when I have complete clarity on the company that I work for.  And how we are to move forward and how we operate.  I can go that way. And I can show that way. And everybody that comes after me and is under my leadership. They're going to follow that same suit.  

Ultimately by offering clear choices and leading the way through conflict resolution. You not only solve problems, but you build stronger and more resilient relationships.  This develops your company even further.  

Let's talk about meetings for a minute.  We all know that weekly meetings can feel like a total drag.  It's something that we just do out of obligation.  But what if for just a short while. We rebranded them.  

And my company dentistry support, I have changed the names of our meetings. I now call them development sessions.  These sessions, aren't just about updates. There about growth. Alignment.  Words have power.  Words have meanings.  When we rename meetings.  To development sessions. We actually are shifting the focus from these routine check-ins to strategic development.  We're reinforcing the importance of continuous improvement and alignment within our brands goals.  It's about setting the tone for the week. And ensuring that everyone is on the same page.  And taking that even a step further by deciding when you'll have these meetings.  When you have high functioning teams. That are constantly doing task after task after task.  And they have to be the highest functioning team in your company.  Having a meeting on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Not a good idea.  Meetings for high functioning teams should always be on a Friday afternoon. And the reason they should be at the end of the week is because your team has done functioning. They're done learning. They're ready to listen.  It's a way to close out the week. When you start the week with those meetings, it's the worst possible time. Your team is just stressed about all of the high functioning tasks that must get done right now.  And putting a meeting in the middle of that. They are not paying attention. 

They are distracted with what's on the agenda.  

Now for your other teams that are going to be action-based teams, meaning whatever we're doing throughout the week.  It all builds upon each other. I'm an action team. I'm a team that has to take action today so that the next days actions can be built on today's activities.  Now those teams. Uh, great meetings at the beginning of the week.  

 I happen to believe wholeheartedly that marketing meeting should happen on a Monday. We set the intentions. We recap what happened last week. We move forward with all of our strategies for this week based on what we know that has happened. What needs to happen and what our goals are.  Pretty simple. Find out when it is best to have meetings with your team.  If it's an action position habit at the beginning of the week, beginning of the day.  If it's a high performing high functioning team, those meetings need to take place at the end. Let your team use all of their best energy. For your customers for your clients, for your patients.  

One of the most significant challenges in leadership. Especially in marketing. Is maintaining alignment with your strategic goals. It's really important that your team understands their work. Isn't just about maintaining the brand. It's about growing it. Every single day.  Leadership in this context means leading by example. It means driving your brand forward with every action setting, the tone for the rest of the company.  



Maxwell puts it best in the book. 

The 360 degree leader.  The leader's job is to see the vision. Articulate it. Own it. And drive it to completion.  When your marketing team understands and embraces this role. They become the leaders that everyone else follows.  

Growth. Isn't always easy. And it requires a certain mindset.  It's not just about clocking in and clocking out.  It's about being fully engaged in the mission.  I want everyone on the team to understand that growth requires both the will and the skill to succeed.  The skill can always be developed. But the will has to be there from the start.  





I want to address something also.  That can quietly sabotage our success.  The victim mentality.  We've all been there. Complaining about a task or dreading something we have to do.  Every minute spent in that negative space. Is a minute lost.  We need to stay focused on our mission and keep moving forward with purpose.  

John Maxwell says in the book leadership, gold people don't care how much, you know, until they know how much you care.  This is a powerful reminder that leading with empathy and positivity is not just about being nice. It's actually a strategic move that builds trust and loyalty.  

Before we wrap up this episode, I want to take a moment to encourage you.  If you've been listening to this episode and something resonated with you. Whether it's about leading your team. Elevating your marketing strategy. Are rethinking how you handle challenges.  I believe you were meant to hear this.  Sometimes we need a nudge. A reminder. To make the changes we know are necessary.  Leadership is about making tough decisions, but it's also about inspiring those around you. Uh, to see the vision and work toward it with passion.  If you're feeling called to make a shift in how you lead or how your company operates. Take that as a sign that you're on the right path.  This episode was meant for you to hear.  And I encourage you today to act on what's resonating with you.  



For today's that's good moment. 

Our TGM.  If there's one thing I want you to remember from this episode. It's this.  Success. Isn't just about what we do. It's about how we do it.  Leadership is about creating an experience, a legacy that transcends the every day.  When you focus on building that legacy? When you ensure that every action aligns with your vision. You're not just leading a company, you are shaping the future.  As John Maxwell again, wisely said. Leadership is influence. Nothing more. Nothing less.  And that my friends is what true leadership is all about.  

I'd like to leave you with a few books that have had an incredible impact on my journey as a leader. As a five-time CEO. As a business owner.  These are my must reads for anyone who is serious about elevating their leadership skills. I'm going to share with you the name of the book. And just a little bit about it.  But take note, grab a pen and paper, open your iPhone, grabbed the notes app.  

Open up Amazon. Look for these.  Here we go.  

The first book is the five levels of leadership by John Maxwell. This book breaks down the journey of becoming a true leader and to five different levels. Each building upon the previous one. It's a great guide for understanding how to grow as a leader and influence others effectively.  The next is the 21 irrefutable laws of leadership by John Maxwell.  Uh, classic in the field of leadership, for sure. 

This book outlines the fundamental laws that are essential for anyone who is trying to lead or wants to lead. Each law is backed by real life examples and practical advice.  



Leaders eat last by Simon Sineck. If you don't know who Simon Sineck is, you are missing out. Go grab Ted talks, go check YouTube. 

He has a podcast. Go check them out. Leaders eat last is a book that explores the importance of creating an environment of trust and cooperation within teams. It's a powerful read on how leadership can shape the culture of an organization.  

And then dare to lead by Bernay brown. Bernay brown emphasizes the importance of vulnerability and courage and leadership. This book is a must read for anyone who wants to lead with heart and authenticity.  Good to great by Jim Collins, this book analyzes what differentiates good companies from truly great ones. It's a great read for understanding how leadership plays a crucial role in taking a company to the next level.  Drive by Daniel H pink. Focusing on motivation. 

This book explains what truly drives people in their work and how leaders can harness that drive. To achieve extraordinary results.  These books that I just shared with, you have been so instrumental in shaping my leadership philosophy, and I highly recommend them to anyone who is looking to make a lasting impact on their business or organization.  Thank you for joining me on this episode of dentistry support the podcast. 

I'm Sarah Beth Herman, reminding you to lead with intention, build with purpose, and always keep your eye on the legacy you're creating. Until next time, keep striving for greatness. I'll catch  📍 you on the next episode.