Doing the little things ... even when no one else is watching

By Kevin Henry, Editor

It was Father’s Day and it was hot in Claremore, Oklahoma. My daughter’s softball team was in the state tournament and we were playing our fourth game of the day, trying to fight through the loser’s bracket to reach the state title game. Temperatures were hovering around 100 degrees, and the humidity was making it feel more like a sauna than a softball field.

My daughter, Julia, is 13 and the joy of my life. She’s also a pretty darn good shortstop (if I do say so myself). She had made some great plays in the field during the tournament and had had some big hits as well, but she did something in that fourth game of the day that will stick with me longer than any hit or defensive play.

As she was covering third base on a steal attempt, my daughter and the baserunner collided at third and both went tumbling. The baserunner was safe at third and the umpire called timeout to make sure the two girls were OK. Julia got up first and went over to offer her hand to help the other girl up. It wasn’t something she was told to do ... she just did it. She and the other girl shared a quick smile and the game went on.

That may not seem like much, but to me it was one of those moments as a parent when you smile and think, “She’s a good person and she gets it.”

I’ve met a lot of you during my travels around the country ... and a lot of you are people who are good people who “get it.” You do the right things in the dental practice, and you do the little things that make a difference in the lives of your patients. You do it not because you have to do it or you want people to pat you on the back, but because it’s what you want to do and it’s the right thing to do.

The old creed of “do the right thing ... even when no one else is watching” is what makes the world (and the dental practice) a better place. Still, there is always room for improvement for all of us. With that in mind, let me point out some articles in this month’s issue.

Be sure to read the article that contains six steps to a productive argument with a colleague (click here to read it). I think it will come in handy the next time there’s a disagreement in the practice or your home.

Speaking of home, if you’re married, check out some tips on how to manage money as a couple (click here to read it). You’ll find some simple ideas that could make a world of difference in your finances.

And, of course, be sure to check out the latest salary figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics by clicking here. It’s always one of our most popular stories and provides you with some solid information for comparing your salary with that of your colleagues.

Thanks for reading this issue of DAD and making a difference every day. Read on, this is your e-newsletter ...