From Crescent to Full Moon: Illuminating self-awareness in dental practice leadership

By Jamie MorleyOctober 1, 2025

Developing self-awareness is among the most impactful actions for dental practice leadership. Self-awareness can be likened to the phases of the moon: sometimes areas of our awareness are hidden in shadow; at other times, we are fully illuminated, with a deep understanding of who we are. When clarity prevails, we radiate a kind of leadership energy that others naturally want to follow.

The Structure of the Moon

For any of you who know much about the moon it is comprised of three different layers which can represent different areas of self-awareness. 

• The outer crust - visible to others

• The mantle - just below the surface shaping what is seen by others

• The core - deep at your core providing guidance and energy

The Outer Crust

The crust represents how you are at any moment—how you present, and how you and others perceive you at the surface. It is like the visible surface of the moon with all the little craters, mountains, ridges and trenches that are uniquely you in different situations and circumstances. This includes your current mental, physical, and emotional state. Noticing these aspects and getting to know how you are likely to respond in real time helps you manage your own state and, by extension, your impact as a leader.

Mentally

How is your concentration and mental clarity? Are you able to focus, or do you feel scattered and distracted? Fatigue and dehydration affect cognitive sharpness—sometimes, a short rest or a glass of water can restore clarity. Take a moment to check in mentally and adjust as needed.

Physically

How are you feeling? Are you tired from clinical work or dealing with pain? As leaders in dental practices, acknowledging physical well-being is key to sustainable leadership. Consider both current needs and strategies for long-term wellbeing.

Emotionally

What emotions are present right now? What triggers strong emotional reactions? The more you notice these drivers, the better you can interrupt automatic, unhelpful reactions and lead from a place of greater emotional intelligence.

Top tip: Taking a few minutes before you go into practice at the beginning of each day to check in with how you are feeling creates awareness.

The Mantle

The mantle sits beneath the surface—your strengths and weaknesses, what you truly enjoy, and what you need and want for the future.

Strengths and weaknesses

Know what comes easily to you and what does not. Focus on doing more of what you excel at, but be aware of growth areas. Sometimes you must step outside your comfort zone; growth happens here, too. You may be particularly good at a technical aspect of dentistry such as cosmetic bonding. At the same time there may be some technical skills you need to get to an appropriate level. You may be good at a specific behavioural aspect such as really connecting with your team members. At the same time you must also be able to have difficult conversations with them.

Know what you enjoy doing

Know what you really enjoy doing. Doing these things will give you energy.  Doing the things you don’t enjoy doing will drain you. For example, perhaps you’re skilled with people but need solo recharge time—plan for both.

Needs & wants

There are some very basic needs that you have, including the need to have food, water, shelter, security and belonging. Basic needs (rest, food, security) are non-negotiable. Clarify your bigger wants and aspirations; these can fuel your long-term motivation. Give time to creating a vision of how you want your whole life to be in the future. Pick a time in the future and create a vision. Include your life in the dental practice and everything else that will be going on in your world.

The Core

Just as the moon’s core drives its gravitational pull, your purpose and values exert a steady force on your leadership.

Core values

Understanding and articulating your top values clarifies decision-making and sets boundaries for yourself and others. Limit these to three main values, and define what they look like in practice. For example, if “excellence” is a value, describe what behaviour aligns with that value every week in your dental leadership role.

When exploring our values, it's essential to narrow them down to a small number of key values. I would keep to a maximum of three values. It is not that you don't live other values. These three values are the most important to you, so if it comes down to it, they do provide some objective guidance.

What is also important is actually to define what living that value really means to you. You can choose certain words but you then need to define exactly what living that word or value looks like. As an example, you may choose the word excellence as one of your values. This means continually reviewing the quality and outcomes of all the procedures I do every month or doing a full audit of outcomes for the whole practice every month.

Ultimately, it is about being intentional with how you are living your values.

Core purpose

Core purpose is about what you are continually striving for throughout your life. It is something that is just an ongoing reason why you are here on this earth. That sounds deep and being at the core, it is quite difficult to uncover and to work out. What is your core purpose? Uncovering your core purpose will really give you a level of energy, drive and enthusiasm. When I think about core purpose I think about what would get me up in the morning if I had all the money in the world.

The person who has done most work or has the most material out there around this topic is Simon Sinek, who wrote the book Start With Why and then wrote a follow-up book which is called Find Your Why where he looks at how individuals, teams and businesses can uncover what their core purpose is. An example core purpose could be to create beautiful smiles so that people develop their self-confidence.

Core Beliefs about yourself

Are there beliefs that support your growth, or ones that limit you? Notice where you might be blind to growth opportunities or overly self-critical. Challenge and revise beliefs that hold you back. You mustn't limit your development as a leader.

Conclusion

Self-awareness, from surface to core, is vital for meaningful dental leadership. By developing all three layers, you illuminate your leadership presence—moving from a “crescent” to a “full moon” that inspires others.

Take time to develop your self-awareness, and let your leadership light shine bright.

Want a conversation on taking this further? Click here to book a short exploratory call and move your leadership into the full moon phase.