Last weekend, we headed to Bozeman to celebrate my mother-in-law’s 97th birthday—and let me tell you, she showed up! The entire family arrived: siblings, spouses (affectionately known as the “outlaws”), and enough energy to power a small town.
It was a whirlwind—visits, walks, celebrations, pickleball matches… and then, plot twist: lambing season.
We stayed on my sister-in-law’s farm, where five ewes were ready to deliver. What unfolded felt like a live masterclass in instinct, resilience, and—surprisingly—communication.
The Pattern You Can’t Ignore
The first ewe delivered twins.
The second? Twins.
The third? You guessed it—twins.
At this point, we were all standing around like, “Is this a buy-one-get-one-free situation?”
Two more are still on deck, but here’s what stopped me in my tracks:
Within minutes of being born, these lambs:
Follow their mother by sound and scent.
Stood up.
Walked.
Found food.
Vocalized their needs.
No seminar. No webinar. No slide deck. Just instinct.
The only “coaching” they received? The push into the world.
Dentistry Is Instinctual… Until It’s Not
Watching those lambs made something crystal clear.
In dentistry, we pride ourselves on clinical excellence—and rightfully so. Years of training, repetition, and experience build strong instincts. You don’t have to think about how to hold an instrument or sequence a procedure. Your body knows.
But here’s the gap:
Clinical instincts are strong. Communication instincts? Not always.
And that’s where things start to wobble.
You can diagnose perfectly and present flawlessly in your head… and still lose the patient in the conversation.
We Are All Speakers—Every Single Day
Let’s call it what it is:
You are speaking all day long.
- Case presentations
- Team meetings
- Patient education
- Study clubs
- Morning huddles
- Difficult conversations
You don’t need a stage to be a speaker—you already are one.
But unlike those lambs, most clinicians were never coached on how to communicate effectively in these moments.
We were taught what to say clinically… not how to say it so it lands.
The Missing Piece: Intentional Communication Coaching
Here’s the truth—straight up:
If communication were purely instinctual, more patients would say yes.
More teams would be aligned.
More meetings would move things forward.
But they don’t. And it’s not because you’re not smart or capable.
It’s because communication is a skill, not a side effect.
Just like those lambs needed help getting into the world, clinicians need coaching to refine delivery:
• Structuring a clear message
• Eliminating filler and confusion
• Creating emotional connection
• Delivering with confidence and authority
When we improve communication, everything else accelerates—trust, case acceptance, team performance, leadership presence.
Step Into Your Role as a Speaker
If you’re already speaking every day… why not get better at it?
Don’t leave your impact up to chance or “how it comes out in the moment.” Get intentional.
Whether it’s refining your case presentations, elevating your team meetings, or finally feeling confident speaking in front of a group, this is a skill you can build.
And once you do? Game over (in the best way).
Instinct Gets You Started. Coaching Takes You Further.
Those lambs reminded me of something simple but powerful:
Instinct is enough to begin. It’s not enough to excel.
In dentistry, your clinical instincts are a gift.
But your communication? That’s your multiplier.
So yes—keep trusting your instincts.
But if you really want to elevate your influence, your results, and your leadership…It’s time to get coached.
Let’s iron out your communication in 2026.
Schedule a Communication Confidence Coaching Call today!
Ready to level up your leadership?
Visit CommunicateWithInfluence.org or connect with me on LinkedIn to learn how I help dental consultants grow.
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