You introduce a new system. A new expectation. A new metric.

And someone struggles.

They're not aggressive. Not insubordinate. Not openly defiant. But they're hesitant. Slow. Guarded. Quietly pushing back.

So the question becomes: Do we show empathy? Or do we hold accountability?

In this episode, Dana and Sandy unpack the reality that most employees aren't resistant to change — they're protective of competence, routine, and confidence. But understanding human behavior does not mean lowering standards.

Drawing on research from McKinsey & Company showing that nearly 70 percent of major change efforts fail due to employee behavior and leadership misalignment, they explore why great ideas fade out after implementation.

They discuss:

• Why consistency builds discipline • How unclear follow-through trains teams to ignore new systems • When coaching turns into enabling • The power of written protocols and documented conversations • Why accountability is clarity, not punishment

Because in a growing practice, adaptability is not optional.

The standard is the standard.

Special thanks to our sponsors:

📣 Identity Dental Marketing – Strategic, ethical, brand-aligned marketing that works. Learn more at identitydental.com

📊 Practice by Numbers – A unified platform that brings performance, workflows, and insights into one system—creating accountability without pressure and helping practices make smarter, data-driven decisions. Learn more at practicebynumbers.com

📲 Join the conversation! Have you ever experienced a situation where expectations weren't as clear as you thought? Share your story in the Dental Drill Bits Facebook Group—we may feature it in a future episode.