Embracing failure: The mindset every successful dental entrepreneur must master

Failure is not an option for an entrepreneur, yet we’re all bound to fail no matter what. So goes the paradox of winning. Success invariably necessitates failure along the way. While it’s not the most encouraging sentiment, it holds true for everyone with a fire in their belly to succeed.

I don’t care where you are on your journey—newly hired at a DSO with ambitions of opening your own practice, in partnership with another dentist, or already an owner of multiple offices—you have to accept the nonlinear nature of winning. You will make mistakes, sometimes big ones.

On a micro level, it’s best to be at peace with the ups and downs, the setbacks, and the comebacks. However, from a broader perspective, you should realize that there’s nowhere to go but up.

Or is there? What about those who crash and burn? While I never shy away from hard truths, I’m adamant about instilling hope in every aspiring entrepreneur who crosses my path. Despite your failures, you will succeed. Rest assured that the contradiction will work in your favor, provided you learn a few ground rules.

Lead by example, earn lasting trust

First, as a leader, you must be willing to get your hands dirty. Human nature dictates that nobody will do hard work on your behalf if you don’t demonstrate your own willingness. The ultimate fruition of your dreams requires tremendous cooperation from people who are eager to join you. Their readiness hinges upon your trustworthiness as a leader.

How much do the people in your circle trust you at this very moment? In case you haven’t noticed, your reputation means everything. You lead not by your words, but by the clarity of your example. Since we know you will make mistakes, you must learn how to properly recover from them.

Tempting though it might seem, don’t sweep blunders under the rug. Own up to your mistakes immediately. The longer you wait, the more your honor will erode. Be quick to apologize lest you give others the chance to point out your faults. Furthermore, be sincere in your promise not to make the same mistake twice.           

Master the art of recovery 

There are multiple advantages to mastering the art of recovery. To begin with, you’ll save money since it’s costly to repeat past slipups. Perhaps more importantly, you’ll also save face, which serves to increase your repute over time. But there’s another reason to master recovery: you’ll teach others on your team to recognize and learn from their mistakes as well.

Both leaders and their associates can inadvertently bury themselves beneath the weight of their own shortcomings, particularly when they fail to acknowledge those shortcomings. No one can correct wrongs they don’t admit.

The sooner you own up to lapses in good judgment, the more willing your team will be to address and right their own miscalculations. Bear in mind that fumbles are inevitable for everyone and ignoring them can be fatal. So, make certain your entire staff understands the importance of swift redemption.           

When assessing mistakes made by members of your organization, discern the type of error. I frequently remind myself to avoid harshly criticizing what I identify as a “hustle” mistake. If one of my staff members accidentally puts too much on their plate and this causes them to botch some of their work, that’s not automatically a horrible thing. They’re testing their limits, and as long as they adjust accordingly, there’s no reason to fret.

I simply make sure they know what to do differently next time. On the other hand, if they incur an oversight out of sheer laziness, that’s an entirely different matter and potential cause for alarm. Indolence has no place in your organization. An associate who repeats a mistake due to inattention or sheer incompetence puts you in a tough spot. Think twice before extending them the benefit of the doubt.   

Make integrity your unbreakable rule 

Keep this rule in mind when making allowances, giving second chances, and reflecting on your own failures: there’s no right way to do the wrong thing. Under no circumstance should you ever deceive your patients or your partners, nor should you tolerate anyone in your organization who does.

Even if you think you can get away with being a little underhanded, stop yourself. Your integrity is top priority. Duplicity will only poison your well. It robs you of your trustworthiness, the very thing you need to effectively join forces with fellow collaborators. If there’s one mistake that’s nearly impossible to recover from, it’s being unscrupulous.

I can’t think of a simpler task. In fact, these sentiments should lead you to sigh in relief. As long as you and your associates remain honorable and eschew laziness, you can recover from almost anything. Think about that for a moment. It’s almost as if you have unlimited chances to get things right.

True entrepreneurs hate to lose. When you possess a burning desire to win, you pivot quickly and effectively, figuring out how to avoid old pitfalls in the future. Obviously, there’s a learning curve. It’s the unwritten agreement you made when you signed up to be an entrepreneur. Trial and error are par for the course but make sure you focus mainly on the solution side of the equation. 

Along your journey, failure should represent nothing more than useful guidance. As long as you innately realize the folly of repeating your mistakes and prolonging your shortcomings, you’ll encounter noteworthy success again and again. This is the formula for unlimited winning. Don’t make a habit of bemoaning your setbacks. Otherwise they’ll drag you down.

Instead, dare to enjoy the road you're on and accept the challenges. Such esprit de corps must be embedded in the culture of your workplace. When you realize entrepreneurship is as much about the misses as it is the hits, the occasional misses will never bring you to your knees. On the contrary, they’ll set you up brilliantly for extraordinary triumphs.

Editor's note: This article appeared in the November/December 2025 print edition of Dental Economics magazine. Dentists in North America are eligible for a complimentary print subscription. Sign up here.