[How to manage with rigour but flexibility an orthodontic practice]

An orthodontic office owner must understand the context and then combine logic, emotion, intuition and common sense. The productivity approach is no longer acceptable. It is necessary to combine rigour, flexibility and pragmatism.

The obsessive perfectionism is ineffective. In fact, there are four ways to demonstrate a flexible determination: persevere when appropriate, win the support of your entourage, back on some decisions, appeal to the collective will. Another needed feature is to have the flexibility to change its own habits and change the ones of others. Some practical examples based on the five available resources (time, money, people, training and equipment) illustrate the concepts discussed.

Both qualities are necessary for the orthodontic business manager today: strong leadership and flexibility. The best attitude lies in the combination of these two seemingly contradictory requirements.