1034: Hiring for Culture Fit: Why Skills Alone Aren’t Enough - Heather Crockett

Hiring in dentistry is harder than ever, especially when you hire for skill and end up firing for attitude. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt talks with coach Heather Crockett about how to hire for culture fit using a structured system, including four essential types of interview questions that reveal credentials, technical ability, experience, and behaviors tied to your core values.

You’ll learn how to define the role, reduce bias, avoid “least-worst” hiring decisions, and build a repeatable process that strengthens your team over time—listen to Episode 1034 of The Best Practices Show!

Main Takeaways:

• One bad hire can erode culture, frustrate strong performers, and create turnover and management problems.
• Hiring for software knowledge or skill alone misses the behavioral alignment required for long-term success.
• A structured hiring system prevents reactive, rushed decisions and makes interviews consistent across candidates.
• Define the role clearly so candidates understand the expectations and you can evaluate fit accurately.
• Use credential questions to confirm education, licenses, and certifications relevant to the position.
• Use technical and experience questions to assess minimum performance standards and past responsibilities.
• Use behavior-based questions tied to core values to evaluate how candidates respond to feedback, stress, and leadership opportunities.

Snippets:

00:00 Hiring Is Harder Now

01:19 Why Culture Fit Wins

05:26 Core Values Over Skills

07:42 Build A Hiring System

10:45 Define Roles And Ads

12:04 Four Interview Question Types

12:50 Credentials And Technical Skills

14:52 Experience And Behavior Questions

20:50 Templates Video Screens And Takeaways

24:55 AI Proof Your Hiring Process

Guest Bio/Guest Resources:

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.

More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

The Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/

Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa

Upcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/

Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/

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