Dos and don'ts for practice leadership: Involve experts in major decisions

If you own your practice, you have ultimate responsibility for the big decisions that will shape its future. But that doesn't mean you need to become an expert in all the business-related areas that will have a bearing on your success -- or just do it yourself with fingers crossed. Turn to other professionals for their expertise by the same token that they would turn to you for dental care.

Build a network of experts you can trust. Talk to colleagues, fellow members of your local business community, and others about who they recommend as management, financial, and legal advisors. Get to know these candidates personally (to make sure philosophies and chemistry are compatible) before you need their counsel. Then, when a major issue arises, you'll know exactly who to consult before making a major decision.

Don't think that you'll be relinquishing your authority. If you think being the leader means relying solely on your own thinking and judgment, look at corporate CEOs. They don't know it all, but they know all the experts who do, including some on staff and others not. Learn to recognize your personal limitations and reach out for experts whose advice will make you look like a very smart business owner.

Roger P. Levin, DDS, is the founder and CEO of Levin Group, the leading dental practice consulting firm in North America. For the complete list of dates and locations where you can attend his latest seminar, visit www.levingroup.com/gpseminars.

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