Season 5: Episode 118: Leaders Go First

Send us Fan MailSarah Beth Herman, CEO of Dentistry Support and host of No Silver Spoons, explains her leadership philosophy of “leaders go first” in responsibility, honesty, accountability, steadiness, and learning—especially when facing criticism, mistakes, client losses, or bad reviews. She argues that avoiding discomfort is image management, while leadership is exposure that sets the tone for psychological safety and candor. Drawing on experiences with the Better Business Bureau (including Dentistry Support winning the 2025 Torch Award for ethics), she discusses why a mix of reviews can be transparent and useful, and how to evaluate criticism without panicking or dismissing it. She references research and thinkers including Amy Edmondson, Brené Brown, Satya Nadella, and Jeff Bezos, emphasizing a “learn-it-all” culture, self-compassion, and measuring leadership by how effectively you respond when things go wrong.Support the showSOCIALS:No Silver Spoons®: InstagramDentistry Support: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedinThe Dental Collaborative: FacebookSarah Beth Herman: LinkedIn | Personal Bio | LinksFree Training for Dental OfficesDISCLAIMER:The content provided in this podcast, including by Sarah Beth Herman and any affiliated guests, is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice, including but not limited to medical, legal, or business consulting services. Listeners engage with the content at their own risk and are responsible for any actions taken based on the information presented. No guarantees are made regarding the accuracy or completeness of the content. For any questions, clarifications, or crediting of sources, please contact us directly, and we will make necessary adjustments.