Next Level Executive

If you didn’t already own your dental practice, would you buy it today?

And knowing what you know now… would you still choose dentistry?

This episode gets candid about ownership, burnout and the questions most practice owners don’t ask themselves often enough.

Push play: https://thenextlevelexecutive.com/podcast/doubling-down-on-commitment-should-you-stay-or-should-you-go/

In about two weeks, I’ll be joining dental leaders for three days of candid conversations about what it really takes to build, scale and lead a successful group practice — from growth and operations to innovation, partnerships and ownership.

Dr. Andrew Matta and I will also lead a special 3-hour workshop, Leadership in Emerging Group Practices: Clinician, Executive & Ownership, focused on navigating these evolving roles and building an organization that’s built to scale.

Use code TNLE50 to save 50% on registration.

https://dentalleadershipsummit.com/

I’ve gotten much better at quitting books.

If it’s not teaching me something, challenging me or making me think differently, I’m putting it down. Life’s too short for the sunk cost fallacy of reading.

So after a pretty ruthless six months, these are the books that made the cut.

A few were great. One was nearly impossible to put down. And one was worth reading all over again.

Here’s my list of the best books I’ve read in the last 180(ish) days and why I think they’re worth your time:
https://thenextlevelexecutive.com/the-best-books-i-read-in-q1-q2-of-2026/

Strategy gets the attention. Ex*****on gets the results.

If you want to build a dental practice that can perform without depending on you, it’s time for a reality check on where your focus belongs.

🎧 Push Play
https://thenextlevelexecutive.com/podcast/the-last-thing-you-need-is-a-strategy/

What if the problem with your growth strategy… is your calendar?

In this episode, we challenge one of the most basic assumptions in business: that your year has to start in January.

Same 12 months. Same 365 days. Different starting line and potentially a more focused team and better results.

🎧 Push play: https://thenextlevelexecutive.com/podcast/the-most-overlooked-easiest-tool-in-leading-for-results/

A big valuation doesn’t always mean a good deal. If you’re considering selling to a PE-backed DSO, you need to know exactly who and what you’re partnering with.

This guide gives you the 10 questions sophisticated group practice owners ask before signing on the dotted line.

Dig into the PE firm’s real track record. Understand your rollover equity. Pressure-test the growth strategy. And uncover what other sellers often don’t ask until it’s too late.

The right buyer will welcome these questions.

👉 Download the free guide: https://thenextlevelexecutive.com/grouppractice/

Being a great dentist doesn’t automatically make you a great CEO.

Effective leaders create results through their teams. So when your team keeps underdelivering, ask yourself: Is it really a people problem, or an expectations problem?

If you’re frustrated by underwhelming results, push play: https://thenextlevelexecutive.com/podcast/the-4-questions-that-help-leaders-drive-results/

You don't have to know how to do every job to lead the people who do.

The biggest challenge in the transition from clinician to CEO isn't clinical expertise, it's learning how to lead a business when 80% of the work is outside your comfort zone.

In this episode, I share the mindset shift that helped me make that transition and what every emerging group practice leader should focus on instead.

Listen here: https://thenextlevelexecutive.com/podcast/youre-ready-to-be-a-leader-even-though-you-dont-realize-it-yet/

After 25 years of leading, building, and advising businesses, this episode explores what actually drives sustainable success and why culture isn't a "nice to have." It's a competitive advantage.

Listen: https://thenextlevelexecutive.com/podcast/how-to-build-a-performance-driven-culture-first-group-practice-dr-paul-lund-misty-wales/