From Good to Great: How Leadership Coaching Transforms Your Practice (and Your Life)
Hi, we’re Fortune Management—the most experienced and established network of healthcare consultants in the country. Over the last 35 years, we’ve helped thousands of practices grow not just in revenue, but in purpose, fulfillment, and freedom.
We believe something truly powerful happens when doctors are surrounded by the right community, strategy, and leadership support: their practices flourish, and their lives do too. And one of the biggest game-changers we’ve seen, time and time again, is the development of real leadership.
If you’re a doctor who’s clinically excellent but frustrated by inconsistent team performance, culture issues, or plateaued growth—you’re not alone. That’s where our work begins.
We sat down with Laura Boone, Fortune’s Director of Veterinary Mastery and one of our most seasoned executive coaches, to talk about what it really takes to lead a thriving practice. Laura has worked with hundreds of practice owners across the country, guiding them through the transformation from stressed-out clinician to inspired, confident leader.
In this blog, we’re unpacking the key insights Laura shared—and showing how Fortune helps practice owners like you develop the leadership and business strategy to achieve next-level results.
Leadership Is the Missing Piece—And the Greatest Opportunity
Most of the time, when a doctor reaches out to us, they don’t lead with “I need leadership help.” They usually say something like:
- “My team isn’t on the same page.”
- “We’re stuck at the same production level.”
- “I love what I do, but I don’t love going to work.”
And we get it. You spent years mastering clinical skills, not managing teams or reading P&Ls. You probably didn’t go to school to become a CEO—but the moment you opened or joined a practice, that’s exactly what you became.
The truth is, leadership isn’t innate—it’s learned. And it doesn’t matter if you’re an owner or an associate, a dentist or a veterinarian—you’re already a leader in the eyes of your team.
When we start coaching a practice, we often uncover that the core issue isn’t a broken system—it’s a leadership gap. One of the biggest mistakes we see? Doctors trying to “fix the team” without first developing their own leadership.
As Laura puts it:
“Leadership starts at the top. It’s not about always being the one who’s right. It’s about being the one who listens, who’s present, and who’s willing to grow.”
The Four Cornerstones of a Successful Practice
So, where do you start? At Fortune, we guide doctors through what we call the four cornerstones of practice success. These principles are the foundation for long-term, sustainable growth—not just financially, but culturally and personally.
1. Know What You Stand For
Every great practice starts with a clear identity. What’s your standard of care? What kind of experience do you want patients or clients to have? Who are you—not just as a clinician, but as a person?
When we help doctors define their vision, it becomes a compass for every decision they make—from who they hire, to how they schedule, to how they market and grow.
2. Clarify and Hire to Your Core Values
Your values aren’t just words on a wall—they’re the behavioral blueprint of your culture. Once you identify what matters most, you can start building a team that embodies those values.
Hiring to values changes everything. It reduces turnover, increases engagement, and makes leadership a lot more enjoyable—because you’re surrounded by people who “get it.”
3. Have the Right People in the Right Roles
A thriving practice isn’t built by one superstar—it’s built by a team. And the right team is made up of the right people, in the right roles, with the right expectations.
We help doctors assess team alignment, job descriptions, and performance standards, so they can lead with clarity and confidence.
4. Commit to Continuous Communication
You can have great systems and skilled people—but if your communication is off, everything falls apart. That’s why we coach practices to over-communicate, check in regularly, and create space for honest feedback.
As Laura says, “Communication is a work in progress. We’re always working on it—but it’s the glue that holds your culture together.”
Numbers Tell a Story—Are You Listening?
Here’s the thing about business metrics: you don’t have to love numbers, but you do need to respect them. Your KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) are like vital signs for your practice. They tell a story of what’s working, what’s not, and where the opportunity lies.
At Fortune, we help doctors dive deep into their numbers—not just to track revenue, but to understand trends, celebrate wins, and diagnose issues early.
When you start looking at data the right way, it becomes a tool—not a stressor. Suddenly, you’re making decisions with clarity instead of guesswork.
What a Fortune Coach Actually Does
When we step into your practice, we bring more than just ideas—we bring experience. We’ve coached over 1,500 practices across the country, and we’ve seen almost every challenge you can imagine.
Our coaches wear three hats:
1. Coach (Empowerment and Accountability)
We ask the right questions, facilitate team conversations, and guide you to your own best solutions. We don’t just hand you a playbook—we help you own the playbook.
2. Consultant (Systems and Strategy)
We bring real tools, resources, and roadmaps. From schedule optimization to leadership structure to patient experience—we’ve done this before, and we’ll help you do it too.
3. Business Strategist (Data-Driven Growth)
We analyze your KPIs, track your progress, and help you pivot where needed. Our job is to help you hit your goals without losing your soul in the process.
The Enrollment Meeting: Where the Magic Starts
One of our first steps is something we call the enrollment meeting. This isn’t just a kickoff—it’s a deep dive into your team's experience, goals, and challenges.
We bring the whole team together to ask questions like:
- What’s working?
- What’s getting in the way?
- What gets you excited to come to work?
- What would make this practice a place you love?
Why do we do this? Because your team has ideas, insights, and energy that often go untapped. And when they feel seen and heard, they get more engaged—and that engagement translates directly into better performance, better patient care, and better business results.
Real Change, Real Stories
Laura shared a story that perfectly illustrates what’s possible:
“I was doing a seminar one night, and a doctor came up to me afterward and said, ‘I don’t believe what you said about culture. I love what I do, but I dread going to work.’
A few months later, I met with his team. We identified the core people who aligned with his values and started coaching them together. Within months, the entire energy shifted.
He realized the kind of leader he wanted to be—and he finally loved going to work again.”
That kind of transformation is why we do what we do. It’s not just about systems—it’s about joy. When your team is aligned, your business runs smoother, and you get to enjoy the practice you’ve built.
Associates Are Leaders Too
Think you’re not a leader because you’re not an owner? Think again.
Leadership isn’t about title—it’s about influence. Associates play a critical role in culture, team morale, and patient care. When you show up with intention and emotional intelligence, your impact ripples outward.
And here’s something we often tell associates: Your leadership skills are your greatest career asset. Whether you want to buy in, open your own practice, or lead a department—learning to lead will set you apart.
How to Get Started with Fortune
If anything in this blog resonated with you—if you’re ready to build a stronger culture, grow your business, and become the kind of leader your team wants to follow—we’re ready to help.
We have a nationwide team of 150+ local coaches, and each one is trained not just in healthcare consulting, but in the art of leadership coaching. This isn’t cookie-cutter. This is customized, strategic, and deeply personal.
You don’t have to figure it out alone. In fact, we don’t recommend that you do.
Enjoy a Complimentary Practice Assessment
We offer a complimentary practice assessment to any doctor who’s curious about coaching. It’s a no-pressure conversation where we take a look at:
- Your current performance metrics
- Your team dynamics
- Your leadership style and goals
- Your growth opportunities
And from there, we’ll help you decide if Fortune is the right fit for you.
You’ve already done the hard part—building a practice, mastering your craft. Now it’s time to enjoy the success you’ve earned.
This Is Your Time
At Fortune, we believe that leadership is a journey—and it’s one worth taking.
The practices that thrive, even in uncertain markets, are led by doctors who care deeply about their vision, their people, and their personal growth. And that kind of leadership? It’s within your reach.
Let’s take the next step—together.
Ready to talk? Find your local Fortune coach and schedule your complimentary practice assessment at www.fortunemgmt.com