Two Events That Helped Me Realise That Tech and AI Are Now Fundamental to Leadership - a guest post my Mark Topley

If I’m honest, I’ve often seen tech and AI as adjacent to leadership — useful, but not central. An operational layer. Something for the systems person. Not really part of the people or culture conversation.

But two events I attended recently — the Straumann Exclusive and Boxly’s “Unbox the Future” — helped me realise that I’d been thinking too small.

Because tech and AI aren’t just about making life easier for your team.

They’re about making life possible for the people you’re going to be relying on next.

Event 1: Straumann Exclusive – The Power of Seamless Systems

Last month I spoke at the Straumann Exclusive event on leading the next generations. In MD Steve Booth and Sales Director Steph Adams’ session, the spotlight wasn’t on shiny new implants or clinical breakthroughs — it was on the joined-up digital workflows that make it possible for practices to deliver a seamless patient journey, from first contact to final review.

And more than that — it was a wake-up call that disconnected systems create disconnected teams.

Most practices still operate in silos. Imaging over here. Diary over there. HR on spreadsheets. Comms via WhatsApp. Sound familiar?

Straumann’s vision was simple:

Bring everything together so the tech supports the team — not the other way around.

And that’s when the penny dropped: in 2025 and beyond, leadership is just as much about designing clean systems as it is about motivating people. Your practice doesn’t just need good values — it needs a working ecosystem.

Event 2: Boxly – Leading in a Way the Next Generation Understands

Just days later, I was at The Box Club in Soho for the launch of Boxly’s AI Receptionist platform.

It was bold. Smart. And more importantly — it was designed for the future of work.

Because what Boxlyy understand (and what many practices still haven’t clocked) is this:

For Gen Z and beyond, working with good tech isn’t a bonus — it’s a baseline.

They’ve grown up with intuitive, fast, integrated systems. If your internal tools are clunky, manual, or involve five spreadsheets and a WhatsApp group, they’re going to wonder if your leadership is equally outdated.

Boxly’s platform isn’t just about automation. It’s about clarity, visibility, and control — for principals, managers, and team members alike. And in doing so, it allows leaders to focus on people, not paperwork.

What This Means for Dental Leadership

Here’s what I took away from those two events — and what I think every practice leader needs to reflect on:

1. Tech is no longer optional — it’s a trust signal.Clunky systems send a message: “We haven’t moved with the times.” That’s a red flag for younger team members.

2. AI is your backup brain — not your replacement.Used well, it can highlight trends, flag risks, and buy back time for high-value leadership.

3. System design is leadership.When workflows are clear and connected, your team spends less time firefighting — and more time doing meaningful work.

4. Generational leadership means speaking their language.For Gen Z (and soon Gen Alpha), good tech is part of what makes work feel safe, smart, and worth staying for.

Want to Lead Into the Future?

If this all feels a bit overwhelming — you’re not alone. But it’s not something to put off.

You don’t have to become a tech expert.

You do need to be curious, open-minded, and willing to adapt how you lead.

That’s why I’m offering a complimentary strategy session to help principals and practice managers explore how tech, AI, and team culture can come together — in a way that works for your practice.

Visit great-boss.com to apply for your session and start building the kind of practice your team (present and future) wants to be part of.

Because the practices that thrive won’t just have better tools.

They’ll have better systems, better leadership, and teams that are ready for what’s next.