Episode Summary: This week, Sandy is fresh off an energizing Front Desk Pro seminar in Burbank, California—and she's bringing the heat! Dana and Sandy dive deep into a topic that every dental practice owner and manager needs to master: employee one-on-ones. From handling raise requests to increasing team engagement and reducing turnover, this episode is packed with real-world strategies and scripted verbal skills you can use right away.

Sandy shares how acknowledgment and structure transform the culture of a practice, while Dana brings in heartfelt reminders of how leadership impacts lives beyond the workplace. Whether you're avoiding tough conversations or want to build a better team dynamic, this episode will give you the confidence (and language) to lead.

In This Episode You'll Learn:

• Why repeat attendees at Front Desk Pro are proof that the system works

• What to say when a raise just isn't feasible right now

• The verbal skill every manager needs when a team member feels unappreciated

• How to handle "she's doing my job" type complaints without fueling gossip

• The surprising way asking employees to "write it up" filters noise from facts

• How to build review systems that actually get followed through

• Why one-on-ones aren't about raises—they're about retention, growth, and clarity

• A reflective exercise that helps you lead with legacy in mind

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🙏 Thank You to Our Sponsors:

➡️ Plan Forward Plan Forward makes membership plans easy. Their revolutionary platform helps you grow your dental practice, improve patient loyalty, and create predictable recurring revenue. Learn more at planforward.io.

➡️ Mango Voice Mango Voice is a cloud-based phone system built for dental offices. It's packed with smart features that help your front desk perform at its best—from call recording and routing to texting and integrations. See it in action at mangovoice.com.

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