Expose: The Elephant in the Room

By David Stamation, Executive Life Coach

Why Do Endodontists Hesitate to Work with a Coach?

I have never seen this topic addressed by one of my peers. Usually, their blogs and short videos place inspirational gaps for you to fill in – assuming you’ll act from there. On the contrary, I think that is my job to help you through this complicated spot of decision making to enter Legacy’s Endo Executive Coaching.

The Thing in the Middle of the Room

Let’s name it—because every Endodontist I coach has felt it:

“If I need a coach, does that mean I’m not cut out for this?”

This quiet question is the elephant in the room.

As a doctor, a business owner, a leader—you’re trained to have the answers. To stay calm with the patients, to navigate tough cases, to run a team. You're expected to hold it all together.

So, the idea of working with a coach can feel… off. Like maybe something’s wrong. Like it threatens the very identity you’ve built capable, composed, and in control. Let’s explore the psychology and layered thinking most clients experience.

Here’s the truth I see every week in my practice:

The most successful Endodontists—the ones with stable teams, relaxed & playful cultures, and personal peace—are the ones who get support.

They don’t coach because they’re failing. They coach because they’re done trying to white-knuckle their way through leadership alone.

In coaching, we work through the two patterns that quietly stall your growth:

1. People Pleasing — putting comfort over clarity, and peacekeeping over decisive action.

2. Fear of Being the “Bad Guy / Bad Gal” — hesitating to lead because you don’t want to rock the boat and be the disliked one.

These habits aren’t just “bad business tactics.” They’re survival strategies—ones you likely learned in early life between the ages of 0-7 years old. Read up on this fascinating topic of Childhood strategies.

And they’ll keep running your practice... until you decide to lead differently.

If you're reading this, you're likely already successful. But if your team feels heavy, if your energy is draining, if you know decisions need to be made but keep delaying them—this is your sign.

You don’t need more tips. You need space to shift how you lead.

Coaching isn’t about fixing you. It’s about unlocking the next version of how you lead, hire, retain, and decide—with confidence.

Let’s do this together. Because your practice deserves clarity. And you deserve to feel at home in your own leadership.