What if I told you your biggest staffing frustrations might have less to do with Gen Z—and more to do with the culture we’ve created around work?

This episode isn’t about criticizing younger employees—it’s about reflecting on what we tolerate, reward, and model inside our practices. I talk about the differences I’ve observed between Japanese and American workplace culture, how it impacts orthodontic teams, and why leaders may need to rethink the systems and expectations they’ve created. If you’ve ever struggled with ghosting, disengagement, accountability, or team culture in your office, this episode will challenge you to look deeper—and maybe see the problem from an entirely different angle.

Quotes

“It’s crystal clear that the work ethic here for the younger generation is very different, at least on the surface, from what I see in the U.S.”
— Dr. Glenn Krieger

“I’m starting to believe that a lot of the problems we face in the U.S. are functions of the U.S. and the way we maybe tolerate some of the behavior that we see as employers.”
— Dr. Glenn Krieger

Key Takeaways

Intro: Lessons from Tokyo & Triforce Academy (00:00)
Cultural nuances and work ethic observations in Japan (00:45)
The growing conversation around Gen Z in the workforce (01:00)
Is this a generational issue or a societal one? (01:40)
What orthodontic employers may be unintentionally tolerating (02:00)
How travel and exposure to other cultures can reshape leadership perspective (02:35)
Final thoughts & invitation to experience Japan with Orthopreneurs RD (02:45)

Additional Resources

🟦 I’ve seen firsthand how culture shapes leadership, accountability, and team performance—and sometimes the biggest breakthroughs come when you step outside your own environment.

If you’re struggling with team engagement, leadership challenges, or building a stronger practice culture, maybe it’s time to stop asking, “What’s wrong with this generation?” and start asking better questions. And if you ever get the opportunity to experience a different culture firsthand—take it. It might completely change the way you lead your practice and your life.

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