Dental Billing, “The Infinite Game”.

“The Infinite Game”
I am an avid Simon Sinek fan. It isn’t just the information in his messages but the delivery of his words that nails it each time. One of his most recent podcasts led me down a road of deep thought and I would like to share that with you.
Please know that many references in this post are derived from Simon’s speakings, I only wished to share and elaborate on his outlook, adding my own takeaways as well.
Simon references a known philosopher by the name of James Carse. This philosopher articulated two types of games “finite games” and “infinite games”. This theory suggests that finite games have known players, fixed rules, a known objective, a beginning and an end, a winner and a loser. Example: Chess. Infinite games are defined as known and unknown players, the rules are changeable and the objective is just to stay in the game as long as possible. Example Politics.
Adopt An Infinite Mindset
In our everyday lives, we are living an infinite game. Our players change, our rules change, our objective changes. We change. We evolve. There is no winner. There is no loser.
When I think of this concept, I think about the company I created, Ace Dental Executives, a nationwide dental billing company. I used to feel we needed to be number 1 in our industry. I used to feel that we needed to take out our competitors. That was only a little over a year ago.
I now accept that while I wish Ace Dental Executives to be number 1, it just isn’t possible to service the entire country alone. (With customer service and detail as my priority, that just isn’t possible anyway.) I concluded that we do not have “competitors” but “rivals” instead. We are not competing with our rivals, but with ourselves. We are competing with ourselves to be a better version of us every single day. We are not playing a finite game. We are all in it together and it is our job here at Ace Dental Executives to play our best cards.
Businesses Should Listen
Simon deepened my thinking in one of his latest podcasts, “How To Be A Leader”. Clyde Lee Dennis hosts Simon on a recent podcast to explain leadership is not an position or title, it is action and example. Leadership is not a rank or position. It is a decision, it is a choice. Leaders often get so consumed with their position in their company that they forget their real role. The real job of a leader isn’t to be in charge but to take care of those in our charge. This made me think of our clients.
We believe businesses should learn to listen to the needs of their clients then provide exceptional customer service and measurable results. Retention is the sum of listening and providing. It is basic math, not complicated.
Our retention rate is 98%. That is since the beginning of time! Our mission is to establish life-long relationships with our clients. Perfecting our roles to sustain, maintain and exceed their expectations.
The Takeaway
Our job here at Ace Dental Executives is not a finite game, it is an infinite one. We will stay in the game. We will show up and be key players each day. We will continue to evolve. Our rules may be altered from time to time but our core values and vision will not change.
All my best,
Brooke Coleman, Owner/President Ace Dental Executives, Dental Billing Company