Have you ever wondered what you would include in a book about your life? I’m a firm believer that everyone has a remarkable story to tell, one that others could benefit from hearing. One of my life missions is giving people the opportunity to recount their lives in a way that gives new insight to the world.
My own journey wouldn’t be nearly as satisfying if it weren’t for the encouragement I gleaned when learning about the triumphs of giants in our midst. I recently had the opportunity to reunite with two such champions in the dental industry. Although they will humbly deny it, they’re legends in their own right.
The first is Fortune Management COO Kim McGuire, who has established herself as a leader in the world of dental advisory. With more than 20 years of experience in a leading dental consulting firm, Kim has shown me time and again her deft hand at crafting innovative strategies and win-win outcomes for her clients. One of her most notable clients is the newly elected president of the ADA, Dr. Brett Kessler. When I met with them, I picked their brains for advice. What I walked away with was even more engaging and enlightening than I’d anticipated.
What these two influencers shared
When Dr. Kessler began his practice in Denver many years ago, he thought unconventionally. Alongside his wife Gina, an orthodontist, he opened a unique one-stop shop for oral health. Getting their business off the ground was a mix of successes and failures, not unlike most private practitioners. Thankfully, they knew to seek guidance.
In came Kim and Fortune Management, and she turned their business around seemingly overnight. As an outsider, Kim identified problems in plain view that weren’t visible to those on the inside. Kim articulated exactly what needed to be done to rectify every issue. My favorite part is that Dr. Kessler insists Kim didn’t tell him anything he didn’t already know. His weak area? He didn’t know how to express what he knew. But Kim did.
I frequently talk about the key role communication plays in a well-run practice. Most people aren’t born genius communicators. Dentists are no exception, so it should come as no surprise that even a brilliant mind like Dr. Kessler’s struggled to get his staff to do what he knew they needed to do. In time, leaders become proficient at getting everyone up to speed, but until then, they hire people like Kim, who know exactly how and where to fill in the gaps.
That’s the role of a good consultant. Dr. Kessler admitted that Fortune Management wasn’t the first firm he’d hired. He found out the hard way that hiring a consultant bent on doing things their own way is a recipe for disaster. Instead, he says the key with Kim was her insistence on understanding the vision he and his wife had already established and then working within those parameters.
There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to managing a private practice, so steer clear of those who try to peddle them. Dental practices win via differentiation, never conformity.
Dr. Kessler’s vision for ADA
Appreciating diversity in all aspects of dentistry is a priority for Dr. Kessler as the new ADA president. He holds firm to the idea that doctors typically know how best to care for their communities, and that a variety of solutions to pressing issues need to be acknowledged and supported.
A recurring theme in his message is the importance of working with purpose, which means something unique to every practitioner. However, wellness must be at the heart of everything we do. Every dentist must nurture the physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual aspects within themselves to ensure lasting success.
In my view, Dr. Kessler is a leading voice when it comes to the betterment of one’s life. He believes wholeheartedly in every word he teaches. He doesn’t shy away from discussing his 25 years of sobriety. He says that no matter the trajectory someone is on, it can be changed. A first job immediately after dental school doesn’t seal someone’s fate. Dr. Kessler turned his life around from a substance abuser to becoming the president of the Colorado Dental Association and a fitness enthusiast in his 50s who’s completed numerous marathons and Ironman competitions.
In his ADA capacity, Dr. Kessler espouses the value of being an ADA member. Dentists who belong to the organization gain insight and support to strengthen their practices and communities. Bringing his human version of dentistry, Dr. Kessler aims to focus on wellness in the broadest sense, leaving behind old modalities rooted in convenience rather than what will benefit everyone.
Ultimately, Dr. Kessler wants dentists to know they don’t have to go it alone. A lone wolf mentality serves no one. He likens his relationship with Kim McGuire and Fortune to that of a personal trainer. A great advisor keeps their clients focused and accountable, and they don’t let up until the clients succeed. He couldn’t bear to let Kim down, which meant he refused to let himself down. Failure was not a possibility when he brought her into the fold.
I remind my own clients that whether they write a book or not, they’re the author of their own life. Don’t underestimate the task, and don’t leave it to chance. Those of us who have elevated our businesses to new heights depend on the wisdom of coaches and advisors to get us there.
I wouldn’t hesitate to reach out to Fortune Management to enlist a steadfast voice of reason like Kim McGuire. Take advantage of every benefit that the ADA provides its members and keep a close watch on Dr. Kessler as he brings the organization to a place it’s never been.
Editor's note: This article appeared in the October 2024 print edition of Dental Economics magazine. Dentists in North America are eligible for a complimentary print subscription. Sign up here.
