Inheriting a Team as a New Clinical Director: What to do First
Most clinical directors don’t get to build their team from scratch — they inherit habits, frustrations, and unwritten rules. If you’re a new medical or dental director trying to “make it work” with a team you didn’t choose, this episode will help you lead with confidence.
Jill shares her proven 5-step approach to building trust quickly with inherited teams, even when they’re resistant, burnt out, or unsure about your leadership.
In This Episode
- Why new directors feel pressure to fix everything fast
- The #1 mistake most new leaders make
- How to run Jill’s 20-minute “get to know you” conversation
- Identifying your carriers, coasters, and question marks
- Why stabilizing the team must come before optimizing
- How one small “quick win” creates instant trust
- Setting expectations with compassion (and accountability)
Key Takeaways
- You can’t lead people you don’t yet know.
- Listening builds more credibility than early changes.
- Stabilize your team before you try to improve productivity.
- One small quick win can shift the entire culture.
- Compassion + clarity = effective leadership.
Resources
- Jill’s Leadership Academy Masterclasses
- New Clinical Director’s Survival Guide (January launch): jillsteeley.com
- Sponsor — RetroClaim: jillsteeley.com/partners
