The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes 2363: Systemization Leadership and the Power of the Right Framework
Oct 22, 2025
Dr. Addison Killeen, a seasoned dentist and co-founder of the Dental Success Network, dives into his book, The Shift, exploring impactful leadership through storytelling. He shares insights on transitioning from overwhelm to focus and why foundational principles like core values and mentorship are crucial. Addison recalls lessons from his diverse background in restaurants and defense contracting, emphasizing how cross-industry experiences shape successful dental practices. The conversation also covers essential strategies for systematizing operations and improving the patient experience.
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From Restaurants To A Systemized Practice
- Addison moved from restaurants and defense contracting into dentistry to work with his hands and serve people. He built one highly systemized 14-operatory practice as a sandbox to test ideas and hired five full-time doctors.
Stories Teach Systems Better
- Stories and mentorship teach business lessons more memorably than dry manuals. Addison wrote The Shift as a fable to make systems and leadership principles stick for practicing dentists.
Less Scope, More Depth
- Master a handful of foundational systems (core values, cashflow, HR, experience) rather than trying to do everything. Focus deeply on a few priorities and systemize them to produce dramatic results.
