How Core Values Help Us Guide Our Decisions

Welcome to Episode 22 of the re-launched Dental Boss Lady Leadership Academy Podcast with Dr. Terri Pukanich. Today's episode is going to be centered around core values. We will first talk about how to come up with a list that really resonates with you. We will also discuss the importance of having clear core values inside your practice, since it's easier to make decisions when you know what you value. Keep in mind that your core values are there to guide you and attract the right people to your practice. There's no right or wrong answer, you as the owner and leader of your practice get to decide what your core values are. Bullet points (01:00) Core values are often misunderstood (01:37) Your core values are there to guide you (02:31) As the owner of your practice, core values start with you (04:00) How to come up with your core values: Find words that resonate with you (05:38) Values can evolve over time (06:28) Our first core value: Relationships (08:21) There's no right or wrong, just be honest with yourself when you are choosing your core values (08:59) Your core values will attract people with the same values (09:37) Hiring people or having patients who don't align with your core values (12:29) If you don't understand what your core values are, you won't get a chance to control the culture that starts to develop in your practice (13:33) It's easy to make decisions when you know what you value (13:42) A helpful exercise to come up with your core values: Think about how your best employees work (14:40) Our second core value: Be the best (15:49) Our third core value: Happiness (17:30) Talking about teamwork vs individual work (18:59) How and when we use our core values (20:30) Another core value: Consistency  (21:45) Sharing stories that exemplify our core values in action (22:49) How do you know if a person actually shares your values? (23:37) Slow to hire, quick to fire (25:13) Setting expectations (26:49) Many small values are missing the importance of having core values