857: Really Tough Conversations Done Right – Carlie Einarson

Are you scared of tough conversations? Do you avoid them at all costs? Then it could cost you your practice! To help you avert future crisis, Kirk Behrendt brings back Carlie Einarson, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, to share a framework for having good, productive conflict and building a culture of trust. Put an end to false harmony in your practice! To learn how to have courageous conversations with your team, listen to Episode 857 of The Best Practices Show!

Learn More About Carlie:

• Send Carlie an email: carlie@actdental.com 
• Follow Carlie on ACT’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/actdental
• Send Gina an email: gina@actdental.com 

More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

• Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listen
• Join The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_US
• Join ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/ttt
• See the ACT Dental/BPA Live Event Schedule: https://www.actdental.com/event
• Get The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazine
• Please leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218

Episode Resources:

• Watch the video version of Episode 857: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videos
• Register for ACT’s To The Top Study Club (April 11, 2025): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climb-with-us-register-for-april-11-2025-ttt-study-club-tickets-1012966789937
• Register for ACT’s To The Top Study Club (July 25, 2025): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/climb-with-us-register-for-july-25-2025-ttt-study-club-tickets-1205497959849

Main Takeaways:

• To build trust, you need good conflict.
• Start embracing conflict. It is helpful, not harmful.
• Conflict doesn't mean confrontation, drama, or arguments.
• Regular team check-ins are critical for building a culture of trust.
• Don't let your fears get in the way of having tough conversations.
• Remember that some personality styles are more averse to conflict.
• Practice having courageous conversations. It will get easier with time.
• When you avoid conflict, it will cost you time, money, and team morale.

Snippets:

0:00 Introduction.

1:11 Why this is an important topic.

2:10 Stop avoiding conflict.

5:17 Conflict, defined.

7:11 Examples of conflict in a dental office.

9:18 Don't let fear get in the way.

11:18 DiSC styles and conflict aversion.

13:30 How to embrace conflict.

16:16 Courageous conversations, explained.

19:45 The importance of team check-ins.

22:56 Final thoughts.

Carlie Einarson Bio:

Carlie Einarson is a lead practice coach who has a passion for helping others succeed in the dental field. She loves helping to create a stable foundation for practices so both professionals and patients have a great experience every time they walk in the door!

Carlie graduated from Utah College of Dental Hygiene. She has ten years of experience in the dental field, including clinical dental hygiene, front office, and leading teams.

In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with loved ones, traveling, skiing, playing volleyball, and golfing.