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

The Leadership Summit You Can’t Miss | Ep. 10

This week, Erin and Mary Katherine share what makes West of Perfection’s Leadership Summit special! Elevate the Conversation will be held in Lexington, Kentucky, on October 20th, and you can’t afford to miss it.   Instead of sitting in a crowded arena to hear a keynote and get your book signed, this event is an intimate experience of transformation for your leadership. Fireside chats, table discussions, and breakout sessions allow you to fill your cup with the motivation and leadership formation you need.   This year’s A-List speaker lineup includes Jay Bilas of ESPN, Pat Lencioni of The Table Group, Jimmy Kirchdorfer of ISCO Industries, General Maryanne Miller, U.S. Air Force, Retired, Andreas Widmer of Catholic University, and more.  Tickets are limited, so visit the website to reserve your ticket or company’s table today! [https://www.westofperfection.com/event-details/elevate-the-conversation-2026-2]   -  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]

Are you Abdicating your Leadership? Ep. 9

In this episode, MK and Erin examine the two main ways leaders abdicate their responsibility: avoidance and self-centeredness. Both are incredibly easy to spot in others, but very difficult to articulate for yourself! Neither avoidance nor self-centeredness leads to authentic success, yet both are common in most leaders.   Today’s episode is a clinic in building awareness so that you can take your leadership to the next level at work, at home, and in your community.  -  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]

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]