Episode 936

936: How to Keep Core Values Alive – Heather Crockett

Published on: 29th August, 2025

Establishing core values is the most important thing you will do for your practice. But core values aren’t just words on the wall! In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Heather Crockett, one of ACT’s amazing coaches, to share how to keep your core values alive and prevent them from becoming stale over time. To learn how to make core values the heartbeat of your practice, listen to Episode 936 of The Best Practices Show!

Learn More About Heather:

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Episode Resources:

Main Takeaways:

  • Use your core values as decision-making filters. They will guide your culture.
  • Core values can be on your walls. But they need to be alive in your halls!
  • Talk about your core values constantly. You can't just set it and forget it.
  • Embed your core values into your hiring process to identify red flags.
  • Create exercises to help your team remember your core values.
  • Find ways to include patients in your core values journey.
  • Give recognition when core values are represented.
  • Share your core values through storytelling.
  • Track shout-outs and core values usage.

Snippets:

0:00 Introduction.

1:20 Why this is an important topic.

2:59 Core values are your filter.

4:48 Use storytelling to share your core values.

9:36 Recruit and onboard using your core values.

12:31 Tie performance evaluations to core values and use positive reinforcement.

15:36 Include your community.

19:05 Create themes and use daily reinforcement.

23:00 Final takeaways.

Heather Crockett Bio:

Heather Crockett is a Lead Practice Coach who finds joy in not only improving practices but improving the lives of those she coaches as well. With over 20 years of combined experience in assisting, office management, and clinical dental hygiene, her awareness supports many aspects of the practice setting.

Heather received her dental hygiene degree from the Utah College of Dental Hygiene in 2008. Networking in the dental community comes easy to her, and she loves to connect with like-minded colleagues on social media. Heather enjoys both attending and presenting continuing education to expand her knowledge and learn from her friends and colleagues.

She enjoys hanging out with her husband, three sons, and their dog, Moki, scrolling through social media, watching football, and traveling.

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About the Podcast

The Best Practices Show with Kirk Behrendt
Elevate Your Dental Practice: Insights & Strategies from Industry Leaders
Welcome to The Best Practices Show, hosted by Kirk Behrendt, founder of ACT Dental (https://www.actdental.com/) and a leader in dental practice coaching. This podcast is your gateway to discovering the hidden gems and tactics used by the most successful dental practices worldwide.

At ACT Dental, we have meticulously curated strategies that have consistently proven effective in elevating dental practices. Our podcast, The Best Practices Show, extends our commitment to sharing this wealth of knowledge. Each episode features interviews with renowned dental professionals and industry leaders who have made significant strides in their practices. They share their experiences, insights, and the challenges they've overcome, offering a unique perspective that you won't find anywhere else.

Why should you listen to The Best Practices Show? Whether you're a seasoned dentist, a new practice owner, or somewhere in between, this podcast is tailored to inspire and educate. Our goal is not just to provide you with information but to transform the way you think about and run your dental practice. We delve into topics ranging from advanced clinical techniques and practice management to leadership skills and personal growth.

Kirk Behrendt, a respected figure in the dental community, brings his vast experience and infectious enthusiasm to each episode, making complex topics both understandable and engaging. As the CEO of ACT Dental, Kirk has helped countless dental practices thrive by focusing on holistic development - professionally, personally, and within their community.

Our commitment to authenticity and practical advice sets The Best Practices Show apart. We don't just talk about theories; we dive into real-life applications you can implement immediately in your practice. Our community-centric approach means we're always listening to our audience and constantly evolving our content to meet your needs.

In addition to the invaluable insights from our guests, we also provide access to exclusive resources available through ACT Dental. These resources complement the podcast topics and give you a more comprehensive understanding and practical tools to apply in your practice.

By subscribing to The Best Practices Show, you're not just gaining access to a podcast; you're joining a community of like-minded professionals committed to excellence in dentistry.

So, are you ready to transform your practice and be the best version of yourself? Join us on this journey, and let's grow together. Hit subscribe and never miss an episode of The Best Practices Show – where we uncover the secrets to the success of the world's best dental practices, one episode at a time.

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About your host

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Kirk Behrendt