What if I told you the way you treat people when nobody’s watching says more about your leadership than anything happening inside your practice?

In this Five Minute Friday, I’m asking a question that might sting a little: Are you a pain in the ass? As orthodontists, leaders, employers, and colleagues, we spend a lot of time thinking about clinical outcomes, systems, and production—but not always enough time thinking about how people feel after interacting with us.

This episode is about self-awareness, humility, and becoming the kind of person others actually enjoy being around. I share why the small moments matter most: how you speak to a server, how you respond when things don’t go your way, how you show up online, and whether your interactions leave people better or worse than before. My challenge is simple: at the end of every day, ask yourself what you did well—and how you could have done it better.

💬Quotes

“This isn’t about how much community service you do. This is about how you act when nobody’s watching.”
— Dr. Glenn Krieger

“At the end of the day, when you put your head on the pillow, what did you do well today? And how could you have done it better?”
— Dr. Glenn Krieger

🎯 Key Takeaways

Intro: Are you a pain in the ass? (00:00)
How your behavior impacts the people around you (01:07)
High-maintenance vs. self-aware leadership (01:28)
Why seeking to understand matters (03:12)
The people who need this message most may be in denial (03:23)
How upbringing shapes behavior—and why we can unlearn it (04:37)
What really counts as doing good in the world (05:52)
Two questions to ask yourself every night (07:22)

🟦 Additional Resources

I’ve seen firsthand how self-awareness can change the way we lead, communicate, and show up for the people around us.

So tonight, before you go to sleep, ask yourself: What did I do well today? And how could I have done it better? Start there—and watch how your relationships, leadership, and life begin to change.

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