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Conflict Resolution Within Female Teams: Why It’s Different & How to Do It Better
Workplace interactions between women can shape career opportunities and workplace experience, yet data shows not all dynamics between women are healthy. In this actionable session, Dr. Kathryn Preston explores the challenging interpersonal dynamics that female doctors may experience with each other as well as with female team members/staff, such as competition mindset, unconscious biases, and “bullying” behaviors that impact workplace and professional dynamics.
With a direct yet empowering approach, attendees will engage in a data-backed exploration of the unique intricacies of female team dynamics, while connecting and sharing with other female doctors over this common issue. Finally, attendees will discover conflict resolution strategies to better manage these interpersonal challenges in their practice and professional interactions. A powerful reminder to redefine what it means to champion each other in the workplace.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify unhealthy dynamics between women that affect the career trajectory and workplace experience of female doctors and staff.
- Understand the data behind challenging female-to-female workplace interactions limiting professional relationships and opportunities.
- Apply healthy conflict resolution and communication strategies to improve leadership readiness in the office and other professional interactions in the community.
Dr. Kathryn Preston
Dr. Kathryn Preston is a dynamic keynote speaker and corporate performance coach, helping organizations move past the noise to have conversations that matter. Prior to her move into corporate professional programming, Dr. Preston was a cleft & craniofacial hospital orthodontist, researcher, and professor. One of her niche areas of expertise is in workplace dynamics between women, having published and spoken with national and international audiences in industries like technology, HR, employment law, corporate logistics, and more.
Beyond her women-focused content, Dr. Preston also guides companies and leaders to identify strategies that move the needle on their employee engagement, team communication, and corporate culture-building. In diverse ways, she has worked with clients in healthcare, tech, home appliances, shipping & logistics, executive education, and more. Featured in Fortune and Fast Company for her forward-thinking workplace insights, Kathryn is known for her bold and innovative strategies to achieve peak performance while cultivating healthy workplace cultures.
Empowered Leadership: Navigating Orthodontics with Vision and Influence
In a profession that demands both clinical precision and business acumen, many women orthodontists find themselves pulled in two directions as caregiver and CEO. This dynamic half-day session, led by Shannon Patterson, is designed to help women align their leadership identity with their personal and professional goals.
This lecture is designed specifically for women in orthodontics and will focus on building strong internal leadership skills: clarity of purpose, confident financial decision-making, and the ability to lead with both passion and firmness. Through guided reflection, real-world case examples, and actionable tools, attendee’s will explore how to lead from within, navigate financial challenges with confidence, and establish boundaries that support both their practice and personal well-being.
Whether you’re leading a team as an owner, partner or associate this session will help you strengthen your internal foundation so you can lead boldly and sustainably on your terms.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will
- Analyze their current leadership practices to identify specific challenges and growth areas.
- Determine appropriate tasks to delegate to team members based on team roles and responsibilities.
- Create an action plan to apply one of the five pillars of leadership in their daily practice operations.
Shannon Patterson, CPR, CMSR
Partner, Bentson Copple Patterson & Associates
Shannon Patterson is a respected leader and advisor in the orthodontic industry, serving as a partner at Bentson Copple Patterson & Associates. With a nationwide client base, Shannon advises orthodontists on the business and operational aspects of their practices, with a particular focus on practice and career transitions.
A Kolbe Certified™ Consultant, Shannon specializes in using the Kolbe suite of assessments to foster strength-based relationships and build highly functional teams. Her expertise helps orthodontists better understand their natural strengths and align them with strategic goals. Shannon is also a Certified Personnel Recruiter (CPR) and Certified Medical Staff Recruiter (CMSR), and she is an active member of the American Academy of Medical Management (AAMM). She currently serves on a committee with the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), reflecting her ongoing commitment to industry leadership and professional development.
As a sought-after speaker, Shannon frequently lectures at AAO annual sessions, regional orthodontic society meetings, study clubs, user meetings, and orthodontic residency programs across North America. Her insights are regularly featured in leading orthodontic publications, where she contributes thought leadership on practice management and career development.