
A guest article by Mark Topley
Let’s get straight to it: ineffective leadership is like a slow puncture in your business. You might not see it straight away, but the air is steadily leaking out, and eventually, it’ll leave you stranded.
Chris recently nailed it when he talked about “leaking profits.” It’s a brilliant image because, let’s be honest, no one wants their hard-earned revenue dripping away thanks to something preventable. And poor leadership? That’s one of the biggest culprits.
Here’s the kicker: 82% of managers in the UK are what we lovingly call “accidental managers.”
They’ve been handed the reins without a map or a compass. No training, no guidance—just a big, fat “good luck.” And while they’re figuring it out on the fly, the cost is mounting.
Meet Neeta and Simon
Let me introduce you to two fictional leaders who might feel familiar:
Neeta: The Overworked Practice Manager
Neeta manages a three-surgery dental practice with 12 staff. On the surface, things look fine, but here’s what’s really happening:
● Delegation Drama: Neeta’s juggling everything herself—from stock ordering to staff scheduling. She’s drowning, and her team feels underused.
● Culture Crisis: There’s a quiet sense of disengagement. No one’s excited to come to work anymore, and small resentments are starting to grow.
● Staff Turnover: The practice has lost three receptionists in the past year. Recruitment feels like running on a treadmill—lots of effort, no progress.
Simon: The Visionary Practice Owner
Simon is a dentist with big ideas, but his leadership challenges are holding him back:
● No Clear Expectations: Simon assumes his team knows what to do, but they’re constantly asking for direction.
● Burnout: He’s working six days a week, missing holidays, and running on fumes.
● Disengaged Staff: Half his team clock out mentally by lunchtime.
How Poor Leadership Impacts Your Team and Profits
Let’s crunch some numbers. For a practice turning over £1.2 million annually:
● Burnout: A 5-10% loss could cost £60,000-£120,000.
● Poor Culture: A 5-15% loss might mean £60,000-£180,000.
● Disengagement: A 10-15% loss could be another £120,000-£180,000.
Altogether, Neeta or Simon could be leaking £240,000 to £480,000 annually—around 20-40% of turnover.
Why Leadership Development Matters for Dental Practices
When leadership isn’t intentional, businesses suffer. Poor communication, unclear expectations, and lack of direction create disengagement and frustration. Staff leave, productivity drops, and the culture sours.
And here’s the big deal: it’s not just the practice that struggles. The leaders themselves burn out. The constant firefighting wears them down, leaving no time to focus on growth, strategy, or, dare I say it, enjoying life outside work.
How to Plug the Gaps in Your Leadership Skills
If you’re feeling stuck, know this: you’re not alone, and it’s not your fault. No one gave you a playbook for leading a practice. But the good news is, it’s a skill you can learn.
The better you are at leading, the stronger your business will be. And when you get it right, everything gets easier—happier teams, smoother operations, and more room to focus on the stuff that really matters.
If you’re ready to stop the leaks and start leading like it matters, let’s have a chat. Book a free 15-minute call with me, and you’ll leave with:
A clear understanding of the key issues holding you and your team back.
Practical steps you can take immediately to address them.
A simple, actionable plan to move your leadership forward.
You can’t buy anything on this call - scout’s honour. No pitch, just honest advice.
Leadership isn’t about being perfect; it’s about taking the next right step. Let’s work together to get your practice—and your confidence—back on track.
P.S. About the Bootcamp
I won’t harp on about it, but if you want more structured support, my Great Boss Bootcamp is designed for accidental leaders like Neeta, Simon, and maybe even you. We tackle everything from delegation to culture-building, giving you the tools to stop the leaks and thrive as a leader.
But for now, start small. Book that call. One step at a time is all it takes to fix the puncture and get back on the road.
References
Small Business Charter: 82% of UK managers lack formal training.
HR Review: Poor management costs UK businesses £84 billion annually.
Workplace Insight: Toxic workplace culture costs £20.2 billion a year.
Gallup: Disengaged employees cost $8.9 trillion globally.
Keevee: Burnout costs businesses $322 billion annually.
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