The 3 Leadership Habits Holding Your Practice Back (And how you can easily turn them around.)

In the busy world of healthcare practices, many owners are always searching for ways to make more money and work more efficiently without cutting corners on patient care. Meet Andre Sudan, a speaker and executive coach who knows how to connect clinical care with smooth operations. Recently, on the Practice Growth HQ podcast, Andre shared straightforward ideas that could make a big difference in how practices run.

Making the Most of Your Team

One of Andre’s standout tips is to fully utilise your team’s skills. In many practices, staff—especially assistants—aren’t used to their full potential. These team members can do so much more to ease the load on dentists, doctors, or vets, as long as it’s within their legal limits.

Healthcare assistants aren’t just there to lend a hand. They can take on tasks like initial patient chats, assisting more during procedures, or even acting as treatment coordinators. This not only makes the practice more efficient but also improves patient care, creating a smoother and friendlier experience for everyone.

The Art of Communication and Handoffs

Andre also highlighted the importance of smooth patient handovers between team members. Think of it as a dance where everyone knows their steps. When done well, this boosts the patient experience and reduces miscommunication. Rehearsing these handovers regularly ensures the team stays in sync and avoids “dropped batons.”

Ditching Outdated Ideas

Sometimes, the biggest hurdle to a better practice is clinging to old habits. Andre encourages practice owners to welcome new ways of thinking—like switching from CDs to Spotify. Staying flexible and adapting to new tech and methods isn’t just a good idea—it’s key to staying competitive.

Tackling Resistance to Change

Every practice faces resistance, often from long-serving staff or ingrained processes. Andre advises addressing these roadblocks head-on. This may mean tough conversations but is vital for aligning everyone with the practice’s goals.

Leadership Drives Success

Finally, strong leadership is non-negotiable. No matter how great the strategy, it won’t work without support from the top. Leaders need to inspire their team and guide them through change. Understanding where the practice is in its growth journey—whether resisting change or ready to embrace it—can help map the way forward.

Andre’s advice offers a simple but powerful path for practice owners to thrive. By focusing on teamwork, clear communication, fresh ideas, and confident leadership, practices can improve how they operate and deliver care.

Want to hear more? Check out Andre Sudan’s episode on the Practice Growth HQ Podcast on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/42rpDPf and Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3EoZbKI