How to Just Be | Ep. 2

Leadership Skills That Orthodontists, Especially Associates, Need Most | Ep. 8

In this episode, hosts Mary Katherine Wathen and Erin Van de Voorde sit down with Shannon Patterson, partner at Benson Koppelman Patterson & Associates, to tackle one of the most overlooked challenges in orthodontics today: the leadership gap.  Chapters:  0:00 — Intro & Guest Welcome  1:15 — About the Elevate the Conversation Summit  5:09 — The Leadership Gap in Orthodontics  9:42 — The Associate Identity Shift  21:30 — Building Confidence as a Leader  27:18 — How Practice Owners Fail Their Associates  40:44 — The Future of Orthodontic Partnerships  57:37 — Leadership & Practice Valuation  59:08 — Closing Challenge & Wrap-Up  What we cover:  Why clinical excellence alone won't build a thriving practice.  The identity shift from student to doctor — and why it's harder than it sounds.  How practice owners unintentionally set their associates up to fail.  The three most common patterns Shannon sees derail associate relationships.  Why partnerships are the future of orthodontic practice ownership.  How the federal student loan changes taking effect July 1st will reshape the industry.  What leadership development actually does to your practice valuation.  Key stats mentioned:  88% of new orthodontists are taking employment positions out of residency  ~$600,000 in average student debt for graduating orthodontists  60% of graduating orthodontists last year were female  West of Perfection has worked with 75+ top orthodontic practices across the nation averaging $4M+ in annual revenue  Book mentioned: What Got You Here Won't Get You There — Marshall Goldsmith  Connect with Shannon Patterson [https://bcp-advisors.com/]: Benson Koppelman Patterson & Associates   - Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at (615) 864 0359 to share your West Moment! -- Connect With West: West’s website: https://www.Westofperfection.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westofperfection/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/west-of-perfection/ Work with us: https://www.westofperfection.com/services

Human Leadership in an AI World | Ep. 7

Erin and MK may not be experts in technology or AI, but they are experts in the human person at work. In this episode, they examine AI from a leadership lens: how will this technology showcase opportunities to develop skills and attitudes that only belong to humans? Using this tool and being a highly relational, present, and thoughtful leader are not mutually exclusive, but like all things, this balance needs to be created intentionally. Rather than approaching this topic from a place of fear, MK and Erin share a Practical, 5 Part Framework to give AI and human development their proper places. - Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at (615) 864 0359 to share your West Moment! -- Connect With West: West’s website: https://www.Westofperfection.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westofperfection/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/west-of-perfection/ Work with us: https://www.westofperfection.com/services

Beyond the Brackets – How Orthodontists are Overcoming Leadership Challenges | Ep. 6

Orthodontists (and leaders in every industry) listen up! Are you hoping your people’s drama and frustration works itself out over the weekend? Is the stress of your people challenges keeping you up at night?   If so, you are not alone. In this episode, Erin and MK address what’s at the heart of the most common issues they encounter while working in the orthodontic industry, most of which are problems for other industries too. Coming off of The AAO Annual Meeting this year, they reflect on what many clients have shared about their challenges and leadership development journeys. Although the examples they share directly pertain to their work in the orthodontic industry, leaders in other industries will also resonate with the struggles and successes discussed.  For Free, Weekly Leadership Insights for Orthodontists- Sign up for Beyond the Brackets here!  [https://westofperfection.myflodesk.com/e5v99lqacn]  For Free, Weekly Leadership Insights for Business Leaders- Sign Up for Beyond the Boardroom Here! [https://westofperfection.myflodesk.com/ogp7rjb1lk]  -  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at ‪(615) 864-0359‬ to share your West Moment!  --  Connect With West:  West’s website: https://www.Westofperfection.com [https://www.westofperfection.com/]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westofperfection/ [https://www.instagram.com/westofperfection/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/west-of-perfection/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/west-of-perfection/]  Work with us: https://www.westofperfection.com/services [https://www.westofperfection.com/services]

Why Coaching Isn't Consulting (or Therapy) | Ep. 5

Have you ever wondered what’s the difference between coaching, consulting, and therapy? In this episode, Erin and Mary Katherine explore the distinct roles of each of these professionals and when you might need to work with each of them.  Here at West, we practice leadership coaching that is oriented to the whole human person. How we do anything is how we do everything, so the lines between personal and professional life are often blurred. West coaches welcome the whole person so that every area of a person's life can grow and move forward.    Are you interested in working with West of Perfection for team training or a personal coaching experience? Email contact@westofperfection.com [contact@westofperfection.com]!  --  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at ‪(615) 864-0359‬ to share your West Moment! The first call we receive this week will get one free coaching call with West of Perfection.  --  Learn more about Mary Katherine’s story in her book Made for More: A Working Mom’s Guide to Escaping Overwhelm and Honor God’s Purpose. [https://www.amazon.com/Made-More-Working-Overwhelm-Purpose/dp/B0F7H4NT8W]  --  Connect With West:  West’s website: https://www.Westofperfection.com [https://www.westofperfection.com/]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westofperfection/ [https://www.instagram.com/westofperfection/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/west-of-perfection/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/west-of-perfection/]  Work with us: https://www.westofperfection.com/services [https://www.westofperfection.com/services]

Start With You | Ep. 4

What does it look like to lead yourself? You can always come up with a thousand and one excuses to try and change your boss or your spouse, but in this episode, MK and Erin jump into the very first step for true growth: starting with you.   There’s plenty of self-development hacks out there, and even more gurus who can over-explain them to you. That’s why Erin and MK dive deep into the difference between consuming information in your mind and allowing transformation in yourself.   Making this shift can be tricky, but this episode will allow you to begin the sustainable journey of transformative leadership within yourself.  --  Leave us a voicemail or send us a text at ‪(615) 864-0359‬ to share YOUR West Moment!  --  Connect With West:  West’s website: https://www.Westofperfection.com [https://www.westofperfection.com/]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westofperfection/ [https://www.instagram.com/westofperfection/]  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/west-of-perfection/ [https://www.linkedin.com/company/west-of-perfection/]  Work with us: https://www.westofperfection.com/services [https://www.westofperfection.com/services]