Dentists aren't just clinicians — they're also leaders and entrepreneurs! In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, ACT’s director of education, to share how to balance these three circles so you can gain control of your practice and reclaim your life. To start enjoying life in 2026 and beyond, listen to Episode 980 of The Best Practices Show!

Learn More About Miranda:

• Send Miranda an email: [email protected] 
• Follow Miranda on ACT’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actdental
• Send Gina an email to learn more about ACT: [email protected] 

More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

• Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listen
• Join The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_US
• Join ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/ttt
• Get The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazine
• Please leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218

Episode Resources:

• Watch the video version of Episode 980: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videos
• Register to ACT’s BPA for their Dental Practice Success Triad tool: https://join.actdental.com/users/sign_in?post_login_redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fjoin.actdental.com%2Fc%2Fpractice-coaching-tools%2Fdental-practice-success-triad#email
• Read The E-Myth by Michael E. Gerber: https://www.michaelegerbercompanies.com/product/the-e-myth-revisited
• Learn more about The Sletten Group: https://theslettengroup.com

Main Takeaways:

• As a practice owner, you need to balance being a clinician, leader, and entrepreneur.
• Don't just “live in the chair”. If you neglect the other two circles, you can't thrive.
• Your practice will only grow to the level of your least developed circle.
• Anyone can improve their leadership and entrepreneurial skills.
• Set aside time every week to invest in each circle.

Snippets:

0:00 Introduction.

1:09 Why this is an important topic.

3:44 Why most dentists “live in the chair”.

6:06 Do you need to give equal time to each circle?

9:57 Anyone can develop leadership and entrepreneurial skills.

14:23 The three circles: The clinician (the comfort zone).

19:01 The three circles: The entrepreneur.

31:04 The three circles: The leader.

35:16 Final thoughts.

38:32 Choose one circle to work on.

39:27 ACT’s BPA.

Miranda Beeson, MS, BSDH Bio:

Miranda Beeson has over 25 years of clinical dental hygiene, front office, practice administration, and speaking experience. She is enthusiastic about communication and loves helping others find the power that words can bring to their patient interactions and practice dynamics. As a Lead Practice Coach, she is driven to create opportunities to find value in experiences and cultivate new approaches.

Miranda graduated from Old Dominion University, and enjoys spending time with her husband, Chuck, and her children, Trent, Mallory, and Cassidy. Family time is the best time, and is often spent on a golf course, a volleyball court, or spending the day boating at the beach.