In this episode of Sydology 101, Syd is joined by Kendall and Estie for a “we listen and we judge” session pulled straight from the wild world of dental Facebook groups and Reddit. From feeling like a “powerless” office manager to getting demoted two days into a regional role, this one is all about gut checks, leadership fails, and what healthy offices do differently.

Syd, Kendall, and Estie react in real time to real posts from real dental team members and unpack what’s actually going on underneath the drama—role confusion, weak onboarding, missing expectations, and leaders who want to be liked more than they want to lead. They also talk about how to advocate for yourself, when to give an office more time, and when it’s okay to just… leave.

You’ll hear them dig into questions like:

• “How do I know if this office is the wrong fit?”

  • Role clarity vs. glorified front desk

  • How to ask, “What are your expectations of me?” without sounding defensive

  • Micromanaging as a communication problem, not just a personality problem

• “I hired at a higher wage than she’s performing at. Now what?”

  • Why “it’s a you problem” isn’t just snark—it’s a leadership truth

  • What real training looks like (hint: it’s more than videos and shadowing)

  • Using 30/60/90 check-ins instead of waiting 6 months to admit it’s not working

• “I relocated for a regional role… and got offered $18/hr front desk on day two.”

  • Red flags in hiring and onboarding

  • Why expectations and responsibilities need to be crystal clear before you move states

  • How owners set new leaders up to fail (and what ethical leadership looks like instead)

• “Our new owner was our associate. Now everyone is fighting.”

  • Blurred lines between “friend” and “boss”

  • Recalibration meetings, core values, and resetting culture after an ownership change

  • Helping a conflict-heavy team without becoming the office hall monitor

• “They celebrated my 5-year anniversary but not hers. Is she just being petty?”

  • Recognition, fairness, and why “everyone knew about mine” isn’t a flex

  • Delegating celebrations if you’re burnt out on being the party planner

  • Simple ways to ask, “How do you like to be celebrated?” and actually follow through

Throughout the conversation, the three of them come back to a few core themes:

• Role clarity: You can’t succeed in a job you don’t really understand.

• Open communication: Ask the awkward questions early instead of silently stewing.

• Self-advocacy: Trust your gut when something feels off—and be willing to walk away.

• Leadership responsibility: Turn “team drama” into, “What did I create or tolerate here?”

If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s time to push for change, have a hard conversation, or quietly update your resume, this episode will give you language, perspective, and a few very real reminders that you’re not alone.

Find more info at dentalteamclarity.com