--- title: C.L.E.A.R. Leadership in a Dental Practice description: A great culture in dental practices begins with C.L.E.A.R. leadership. This acronym will establish leadership and help you create a culture within your practice. image: https://blog.patientprism.com/hubfs/Blog/Featured%20Images/JudyKayMausolf.png --- - [Contact](https://patientprism.com/contact/) - [Patient PrismLOGIN](https://web.patientprism.com/) [![Patient Prism | Healthcare Lead Tracking Software](https://blog.patientprism.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2024_Patient-Prism_Logo_Blue.png?width=800&height=247&name=2024_Patient-Prism_Logo_Blue.png "Patient Prism | Healthcare Lead Tracking Software")](https://blog.patientprism.com/hubfs/PP-Logo-2024.png) - Product - ![](https://patientprism.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Patient-Prism-Product-Overview-@2x.png) ### [Product Overview Learn more about Patient Prism's key features and benefits](https://patientprism.com/product-overview/) - ![](https://patientprism.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Patient-Prism-Case-Studies@2x.png) ### [Case Studies Learn how Patient Prism transforms dental practices](https://patientprism.com/case-studies/) - ![](https://patientprism.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Patient-Prism-Dental-Practice-Customers@2x.png) ### [Customers Discover the amazing dental practices that utilize Patient Prism](https://patientprism.com/customer/) - Solutions - ### [Private Dental Practice Our software is perfect for single dental practices. 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Visit our help center for quick answers and tutorials.](https://support.patientprism.com/hc/en-us) - ![](https://patientprism.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Affiliate-Program@2x.png) ### [Affiliate Program Be a part of Patient Prism's growing network of affiliates.](https://patientprism.com/affiliates-program/) - [Contact](https://patientprism.com/contact/) - [Patient Prism LOGIN](https://web.patientprism.com/) - [Schedule Demo](https://patientprism.com/schedule-demo/) Patient Prism's Dental Industry Blog Here you'll find hundreds of articles and video interviews with dental industry experts on the topics of DSO and practice growth, dental software, call-tracking technology, patient experience and artificial intelligence fueling the dental industries ability to treat more patients and change lives. - by: Judy Kay Mausolf - 6 min read # [C.L.E.A.R. Leadership in a Dental Practice](https://blog.patientprism.com/clear-dental-practice-leadership) - [Dental Practice Leadership](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/dental-practice-leadership) - [AI Call Intelligence (1)](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/ai-call-intelligence) - [Dental Call Tracking (23)](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/dental-call-tracking) - [Dental Marketing (33)](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/dental-marketing) - [Dental Practice Leadership (192)](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/dental-practice-leadership) - [Dental Technology (71)](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/dental-technology) - [DSO (42)](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/dso) - [Multi-Practice Growth (95)](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/multi-practice-growth) - [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6464971/blog_9_wow_design/facebook-logo%20(2).svg)Share](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.patientprism.com%2Fclear-dental-practice-leadership) - [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6464971/blog_9_wow_design/twitter%20(5).svg)Tweet](https://www.twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.patientprism.com%2Fclear-dental-practice-leadership) - [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6464971/blog_9_wow_design/linkedin-logo%20(2).svg)Post](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.patientprism.com/clear-dental-practice-leadership) - [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6464971/blog_9_wow_design/envelope%20(1).svg)Mail](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.patientprism.com/clear-dental-practice-leadership) March 2019--“A great culture in dental practices begins with C.L.E.A.R. leadership,” dental consultant Judy Kay Mausolf frequently tells the audience as she lectures around the country. “I'd love to say that culture comes in a box, that I could just take a box and say, ‘Here, doctor.  Here's your culture. Go ahead. Go with that.’” Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way.   Creating a great culture requires leadership, and leadership can be scary for a lot of dentists. “They go to school to be a dentist, and it's not until they've been in the business for a couple of years that they start to realize, ‘You know what? I'm a provider, and I also have to run a business.’” Oftentimes the person who is the most vocal or who is strongest personality in the practice becomes the person who runs the practice. It could be a hygienist or assistant or the office manager. And in a very short while, the practice culture becomes what that person wants it to be versus what the doctor wants it to be. “When I start working with teams to help them create their culture, I start with the doctors and defining what's important to them and really helping them be clear about leadership,” said Mausolf.  C.L.E.A.R. is an acronym for: - **C**reating core values - **L**eading by example - **E**mpowerment - **A**ccountability - **R**esults ## Creating Core Values "I ask dentists to come up with their four core value words in order of priority," said Mausolf.  That can stump some people.  And if there are multiple doctors in the practice, they may choose different values. In that case, the dentists need to talk about what they value most and agree on their top priorities. Some examples may be excellence of service, compassionate care, or efficiency.  Often, it's helpful to think about what led to the dentist having a great day. The things that went right are often a reflection of the dentist's core values. "I ask them to be consistent with their message about the service they deliver, the team they hire, how they work, and how they lead."  ## Leading by Example If you want to have a culture in a certain way, the dentist needs to ensure he or she is setting the standard for leadership.  "The team is going to follow your lead," said Judy Kay Mausolf. "That's the number one leadership principle there is."  A leader's attitude, behavior, expectations of others, appreciation for others, and celebration of the practice's achievements must be consistent with the dentist's identified core values.  Otherwise, it will come across as having one standard for the dentist and another set for everyone else. ## Empowerment It can be easy for doctors to think that they need to come up with all the answers.  Mausolf said that's not the case. "Truthfully, the team wants to be involved in the decision-making process or at least give feedback. They want their opinions heard and understood," she explained during a discussion with Amol Nirgudkar, the CEO of Patient Prism.  Empowerment is established in a variety of ways. A few easy ones include training, communication, and team meetings, said Mausolf.  The goal is to create a safe environment where team members feel they can provide their honest opinions for identifying concerns, offering suggestions, and implementing solutions.  ## Accountability "Accountability is more than just having a conversation and saying, 'Let's do this"," explained Mausolf. "It's really about the follow-up. It's have a clear delegation of duties and clarifying expectations." The key is to identify the who, what, when, where, why and how of the process that needs to be implemented, and then making sure it happens. ## Results Dental practice leaders need to evaluate measurable results. Everyone needs to know what success looks like, and which metrics will be used to evaluate that success. That way, everyone in the practice understands his or her role in reaching those metrics, and everyone is working toward the same goal. "That's clear leadership in a nutshell," said Mausolf.  [![Schedule a Patient Prism Demo with Brenton Paul](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3321879/e1446252-1677-4ab5-a324-628c0b4fab63.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3321879/e1446252-1677-4ab5-a324-628c0b4fab63) ### Share Post: - [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6464971/blog_9_wow_design/facebook-logo%20(2).svg)Share](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.patientprism.com%2Fclear-dental-practice-leadership) - [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6464971/blog_9_wow_design/twitter%20(5).svg)Tweet](https://www.twitter.com/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fblog.patientprism.com%2Fclear-dental-practice-leadership) - [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6464971/blog_9_wow_design/linkedin-logo%20(2).svg)Post](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.patientprism.com/clear-dental-practice-leadership) - [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6464971/blog_9_wow_design/envelope%20(1).svg)Mail](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.patientprism.com/clear-dental-practice-leadership) ##### [Previous Article](https://blog.patientprism.com/dental-insurance-conversations) ### [How to Handle Insurance Conversations at Dental Practices](https://blog.patientprism.com/dental-insurance-conversations) ##### [Next Article](https://blog.patientprism.com/dental-assistants-case-acceptance) ### [The Importance of a Confident Dental Assistant in Case Acceptance](https://blog.patientprism.com/dental-assistants-case-acceptance) ![shape](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/6464971/blog_9_wow_design/shape.svg "shape") #### Subscribe to our blog for the latest updates ![Sign Up For Patient Prism Dental Newsletter](https://blog.patientprism.com/hubfs/images/icons/Sign%20Up%20For%20Patient%20Prism%20Dental%20Newsletter.png "Sign Up For Patient Prism Dental Newsletter") By submitting this form you will be receiving our latest updates on post. We're committed to your privacy. Patient Prism uses the information you provide to us to contact you about our relevant content, products, and services.  You may unsubscribe from these communications at any time.  - Recent - Popular [Dental Practice Leadership](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/dental-practice-leadership) ##### [Bulletproof: Patient Prism Equips Private Dentists to Compete with DSOs](https://blog.patientprism.com/bulletproof-patient-prism-equips-private-dentists-to-compete-with-dsos) [Dental Practice Leadership](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/dental-practice-leadership) ##### [Bulletproof: Did a New Patient Call and Then Fail to Schedule? 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Patient Prism provides your front desk team or call center with the tools and coaching they need to book more new patients on the first phone call.  [![Schedule Demo](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/3321879/0b902015-8fd3-4970-b9f9-fd203c36af1c.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/3321879/0b902015-8fd3-4970-b9f9-fd203c36af1c) ### Related Posts - [by Deborah Bush](https://blog.patientprism.com/author/deborah-bush) - 6 min read #### [Bulletproof: Patient Prism Equips Private Dentists to Compete with DSOs](https://blog.patientprism.com/bulletproof-patient-prism-equips-private-dentists-to-compete-with-dsos) August 2023 In Bulletproof Dental Practice Podcast Episode 302, hosts Dr. Peter Boulden and Dr. Craig Spodak ask Patient... - ##### [Dental Practice Leadership](https://blog.patientprism.com/topic/dental-practice-leadership) - [by Deborah Bush](https://blog.patientprism.com/author/deborah-bush) - 4 min read #### [Bulletproof: Did a New Patient Call and Then Fail to Schedule? 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Copyright Patient Prism®. 2020 All rights reserved. ![](https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/834660133/?guid=ON&script=0) ![](https://dc.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=150810&fmt=gif) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Judy Kay Mausolf", "url" : "https://blog.patientprism.com/author/judy-kay-mausolf" }, "dateModified" : "2023-07-16T18:36:51.461Z", "datePublished" : "2019-03-01T22:54:12.000Z", "headline" : "C.L.E.A.R. Leadership in a Dental Practice", "image" : [ "https://blog.patientprism.com/hubfs/Blog/Featured%20Images/JudyKayMausolf.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.patientprism.com/clear-dental-practice-leadership", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.patientprism.com/hubfs/2024_Patient-Prism_Logo_Blue.png" }, "name" : "Patient Prism" } } ```