Gary Bird

Skepticism towards the importance of culture in business: Previously, Gary believed that winning was the ultimate goal, dismissing the significance of fostering a positive and cohesive culture. However, as his team grew, he recognized the limitations of his previous mindset and began hyper-focusing on creating a work environment where people genuinely wanted to be and retire from. 

The concept of extreme ownership: Previously, he would attribute failures or setbacks in the business to external factors, such as the team or technology. However, he realized that true leadership necessitated taking responsibility for outcomes and evaluating what changes he needed to make within himself to inspire and attract others. This transformative shift empowered Gary to make the necessary adjustments and improve the overall success of SMC National. 

Outdated technology systems in dental practices: Gary highlights the challenges faced by dentists in accessing and analyzing data due to archaic technology systems. Integrating customer relationship management (CRM) systems into dentistry is crucial for revolutionizing patient care, as it enhances understanding of patients’ needs and enables personalized and efficient care. 

Mindset shifts and belief sets for innovation: Gary emphasizes the need for mindset shifts to drive innovation within the dental industry. He shares his own experiences with two significant mindset shifts: recognizing the importance of fostering a positive culture and taking extreme ownership. These shifts helped him create a work environment where people genuinely want to be and take responsibility for outcomes.

Embracing failure and maintaining an infinite game mindset: Failure is seen as an inherent part of the innovation process. Gary highlights the importance of learning from failures, making necessary adjustments, and striving for continual improvement. An infinite game mindset, coupled with a commitment to daily progress, is considered essential for long-term success.