The Power of Core Values: Transforming Businesses with Purpose

Hi friends,

Last time we discussed the pivotal role of core values in guiding business decisions and shaping culture. Today, I want to share my personal journey on how I identified and selected the core values that now define and drive my dental practice.

Understanding Core Values

Core values aren’t just lofty phrases on our office wall; they are the bedrock of our practice's culture and decision-making processes. They need to be practical, actionable, and lived daily.

My Steps to Identify Core Values

Reflecting on My Practice’s Identity

I started by examining what I value most in my practice. In dentistry, this could range from patient care to efficiency. For me, it was about understanding what made my practice unique and revisiting why I started this business. I asked myself:

• What moments in my practice am I most proud of?

• Why did I become a dentist in the first place?

• Which values were implicit in those decisions and actions?
  

Considering My Practice's Future

I also thought about the legacy I want to leave. I visualized my practice ten years from now, imagining dropping in as a secret shopper. I asked myself:

• How do I want to feel when I walk into my own practice?

• What do I want to see happening? Working backwards from this future vision was incredibly insightful.

Analyzing Strengths and Weaknesses

I took a hard look at what we excelled at and where we struggled. This reflection helped me realize that we needed stronger communication, a more patient-centric approach, and better teamwork.

How I Chose Our Core Values

Balancing Importance and Needs

The process of selecting our core values started with a deep dive into what I fundamentally believe is important for my practice, coupled with a clear assessment of what was missing from our current team dynamics. This dual approach helped ensure that our core values not only inspire but also address real needs.

Reflecting on Our Practice's Needs

The shortcomings in our existing team behavior highlighted the urgent need for better communication, more consistent patient-first approaches, and stronger teamwork. These were areas where we consistently fell short, and they shaped our discussions around what core values we needed to instill.

Choosing Specific Values

After gathering all insights and reflecting on our practice's identity and needs, I focused on a concise set of core values that everyone in the practice could remember and adhere to. We settled on four key values:

1. Excellence in Patient-Centric Care: Ensuring that every decision prioritizes patient well-being and satisfaction.

2. Proactive Teamwork: Encouraging every team member to anticipate needs and collaborate effectively.

3. Positive Attitude: Emphasizing solutions and maintaining a constructive outlook in every situation.

4. Open and Effective Communication: Committing to clear and timely exchanges of information to avoid misunderstandings and align actions.

   
   

These core values were chosen not just for their inspirational qualities but because they directly addressed the gaps we had identified. They now serve as the pillars upon which we build every policy and interaction at our practice.

Integrating Core Values

With our core values defined, we embedded them into every aspect of our operations—from hiring to daily decision-making and performance evaluations. These values now guide every action we take, making our practice more aligned and cohesive.

Conclusion

Identifying and implementing core values transformed my business. It wasn't just about improving operations; it was about creating an environment where both staff and patients felt valued and understood.

I hope my journey inspires you to consider how core values might reshape your business or personal endeavors. Reflect on what values drive your actions and how they can be articulated to guide your business towards its vision.

Until next time, keep striving to build a business that not only succeeds but also aligns with your deepest values.

^{Written by Kevin Ng, DDS}