The Dentalpreneur Podcast w/ Dr. Mark Costes 2380: Leading Without the Sh*tshow: A Guide for Office Managers
Nov 14, 2025
Sydney Robinson, an executive director of operations with over 15 years in dental leadership, shares her journey from chaos to clarity in team management. She emphasizes the importance of defining the office manager's role, moving from micromanagement to empowering staff, and mastering financial health for practice success. Sydney also dives into leadership behaviors, tailoring motivation for team members, and the necessity of clear job descriptions to foster a productive culture. Her insights serve as a vital guide for anyone feeling overwhelmed in the dental field.
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Promotion Broke Peer Relationships
- Sydney told how becoming office manager turned peers into direct reports and triggered turnover when she lacked clear leadership skills.
- She admitted becoming a micromanager who fixed problems herself instead of teaching others, causing burnout and departures.
Define The Office Manager Role
- Define the office manager role clearly with a job description and stop doing everyone else's work.
- Focus on strategy, oversee operations, and mentor instead of executing every task personally.
Own Financial Goals And Translate Them
- Learn and own your practice's financial goals, budgets, and KPIs so you can translate them into team targets.
- Break big numbers into actionable team goals to drive behavior and operational decisions.
