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In the ever-evolving world of dental practice management, the practices that thrive aren’t just those with cutting-edge tools or top-tier talent — they’re the ones built on a foundation of deeply held values and a commitment to servant leadership. Dr. Jon Marashi’s philosophy, as discussed in a recent podcast episode with Intiveo, offers a blueprint for dental professionals looking to lead with authenticity, build resilient teams, and deliver exceptional patient experiences.
Leading with purpose
At the heart of Dr. Marashi’s approach is a simple, yet profound mantra:
“I, Jon Marashi, see, hear, feel, and know. The purpose of my life is to be the smile maker, enjoy the gift of my family, and give love and gratitude to myself and others.”
While not a traditional mission statement, it captures the essence of how personal values and professional purpose can (and should) intertwine. His vision isn’t rooted in titles or prestige. Instead, it’s grounded in service — the idea that success begins with giving, not taking.
In dental practice management, this servant-first mindset transforms the way teams function and how patients are treated. It’s not about hierarchy — it’s about humility, empathy, and human connection.
Building culture through leadership
Values don’t just hang on a wall. They’re reflected in how a practice is run day to day. Dr. Marashi shared a pivotal experience from his early career: losing an entire staff due to misalignment in leadership. Rather than placing blame, he took ownership, adjusted his approach, and learned a critical lesson in people management — a cornerstone of effective dental practice management.
“You’ll keep paying dumb tax until you learn the lesson,” he said. “Life keeps handing you the same problems until you choose to grow.”
That growth included learning how to connect with staff, adapt to patient personalities, and shift from raw enthusiasm to refined emotional intelligence. It also meant investing time into understanding the financial language of his practice. That includes mastering balance sheets, cash flow, and profitability so he could make strategic decisions that support both his team and his patients.
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Managing with strategy and empathy
Modern dental leaders must be both visionary and operationally sharp. Dr. Marashi’s approach to business management combines long-term thinking with deep people skills. One of the most insightful ideas he emphasized was the value of complementary team members. Specifically, hiring people with strengths in areas where he isn’t as strong.
“A room full of people like me is a bad idea,” he said. “I need the counterbalances — people who see things differently than I do.”
This kind of self-awareness is essential in dental practice management. Knowing both your strengths and your blind spots allows you to build a balanced, effective team. When leaders recognize and respect different work styles, they foster a culture of trust, accountability, and high performance.
Advice for the next generation of dental leaders
Dr. Marashi left young professionals with three core pieces of advice:
- Know your outcome. Pick a direction and move with intention. You can always course-correct, but you need a destination.
- Surround yourself with coaches and mentors. The fastest path to mastery is learning from those who’ve already walked it.
- Commit to discipline and consistency. Extraordinary results come from doing the ordinary — over and over, with purpose.
This philosophy isn’t flashy, but it’s real. And in an industry where patients’ trust and loyalty are hard-won, a values-driven approach is one of the most powerful differentiators a practice can have.
Value-driven dentistry resources
Understanding your values is very important to dental practice management. We’ve discussed it on the blog before with Dr. ArNelle Wright and Danielle Apostolon of CareQuest, and we also offer a Practice Management Cheat Sheet with tips from both Dr. Wright and Intiveo!
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