From Resistance to Results: Mastering Dental Team Communication and Change Management
Change in a dental practice can spark growth—or ignite tension. Even the most talented teams can resist new ideas, workflows, or systems. In this in-depth session, Dr. Scott Leune and Paul Edwards explore the real reasons behind pushback, the impact on culture and performance, and how to move your team from resistance to results. Packed with actionable insights on dental practice management, dental team communication, and managing staff resistance to change, this webinar offers a blueprint for turning conflict into collaboration.
About This Webinar
This webinar takes a deep dive into one of the most persistent challenges in dental practice management—what to do when valuable, skilled employees resist changes that are critical for growth. Resistance isn’t always outright defiance; it can appear as subtle pushback, slow adoption, or passive undermining, all of which can stall progress and damage team morale.
Drawing on Paul Edwards’ expertise in dental HR support and Dr. Scott Leune’s leadership experience, the session introduces a structured, five-step framework: listen, empathize, redirect, require, and measure. This method gives practice owners and managers a clear, repeatable approach for addressing resistance without creating unnecessary conflict.
Attendees learn how to:
- Identify and address the root causes of resistance—whether cultural, procedural, or personal.
- Apply communication techniques that encourage buy-in while preserving professional respect.
- Set measurable expectations and create systems of accountability to ensure follow-through.
- Navigate the legal considerations involved in managing employee pushback, especially when protected activities may be in play.
- Use cultural reinforcement to make change sustainable long after the initial rollout.
Through detailed examples, live role-playing scenarios, and practical coaching, the webinar equips leaders with both the mindset and tools to turn blockers into active contributors. The strategies shared are immediately actionable and adaptable for any dental team, regardless of size or structure.
About the Host and Guest
- Scott Leune is a respected authority in dental practice management, recognized for helping dentists create profitable, scalable, and patient-focused practices. He has worked with thousands of dental professionals, delivering proven strategies to enhance leadership, streamline operations, and elevate team performance. Through his high-impact webinars and in-person training events, Dr. Leune provides the practical guidance dentists need to lead with confidence and achieve sustainable growth.
- Paul Edwards is the founder and CEO of CEDR HR Solutions, a national provider of customized dental HR support serving thousands of practices. For over 20 years, Paul has specialized in compliance, employee relations, and conflict resolution, offering owners and managers clear, legally sound strategies for complex staffing issues. His approach blends legal expertise with hands-on leadership coaching, enabling practices to protect themselves legally while building stronger, more cohesive teams.
Do you want me to now expand the key takeaways from Scott’s perspective with more specific examples from the webinar conversation? That would make the whole piece more robust and insight-driven.
Key Takeaways
Resistance Often Signals Communication Gaps
Scott Leune emphasizes that pushback from team members is not always a sign they’re wrong for the practice or unwilling to contribute. In many cases, resistance is rooted in unclear expectations, insufficient explanation of the “why” behind a change, or a lack of two-way dialogue. Scott encourages leaders to view resistance as a signal to reassess communication and ensure every team member understands both the purpose and the desired outcome of the change.
Culture as the Foundation for Change
Dr. Leune knows that a strong, healthy culture makes any transition easier to navigate. When a practice is built on values like accountability, collaboration, and patient-first care, employees are more likely to embrace new systems and processes. Scott stresses that cultural reinforcement—through daily actions, consistent messaging, and aligned leadership—is the groundwork that allows change to take hold without prolonged resistance.
Direct Engagement with Blockers
Scott Leune believes that avoiding resistant employees only allows negativity to spread. Leaders must face blockers directly, having candid conversations about expectations, potential roadblocks, and shared goals. He recommends setting clear, measurable targets tied to the change initiative and reviewing them regularly to keep progress visible and accountable.
The Role of Empathy, Patience, and Follow-Up
Scott stresses that successful leadership during transitions requires empathy for the employee’s perspective, patience with the adjustment period, and consistent follow-up to reinforce progress. This means not only checking in on metrics but also addressing concerns, providing additional training, and offering support to build confidence in the new way of working.
Knowing When It’s Time to Part Ways
Scott advises that if a team member continues to resist after clear communication, structured support, and multiple opportunities for alignment, leaders must be willing to make difficult decisions. Keeping a chronic resister can erode culture, stall practice growth, and discourage other high-performing team members. In such cases, parting ways protects the team’s morale and ensures the practice can move forward without ongoing disruption.
Conclusion
This webinar delivers a clear leadership message: successful change requires strategy, empathy, and accountability. By applying these approaches, practice owners can transform pushback into progress, strengthen team dynamics, and accelerate growth. For more proven strategies on leadership, culture, and communication, explore upcoming Scott Leune webinars and visit our collection of blog posts for actionable insights.