“You have to show up as yourself in leadership. Support carries more weight than power.”
What looks like a straight path often starts with an unexpected turn. For Kristin Lennarson, seven years behind the chair as a hairstylist led her into orthodontics — a field she’s been part of for nearly a decade.
In this episode, Kristin shares her journey from chairside assistant to head lab tech to clinical lead, and what it takes to step into leadership in a growing practice. We talk about the loneliness of leadership, the pressure of being likable, and why uncomfortable conversations are often the most important ones you’ll have as a leader. Kristin also shares how she navigated team dynamics, built confidence in others, and ultimately carried those lessons into her current role supporting practices as a Customer Success Manager with Bright Referral.
We talk about:→ How Kristin transitioned from hairstyling to orthodontics→ The path from assistant to clinical lead and why each role mattered→ The hardest mindset shift when moving from teammate to leader→ Why uncomfortable conversations are essential for healthy practices→ How her clinical experience shapes her work today at Bright Referral
About Kristin LennarsonKristin Lennarson spent seven years as a hairstylist before moving into orthodontics, where she spent nearly a decade in roles ranging from chairside assistant to head lab tech to clinical lead. After years of growing alongside her team, she stepped into a new chapter as an integration specialist and now serves as a Customer Success Manager with Bright Referral. Kristin brings her passion for people, systems, and leadership into every practice she supports.
Tune in on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube, and if this episode sparked something for you, share it with your team or a fellow ortho leader. Subscribe to the show and leave a review. Want to bring this kind of energy into your practice? Visit DiscoverEverbloom.com.
Episode Links & ResourcesVisit Bright ReferralFollow Kristin on InstagramConnect with Kristin on FacebookConnect with Kristin on LinkedIn
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Episode Chapters00:00 Welcome and Kristin’s start in orthodontics03:05 From hairstylist to chairside assistant07:01 The growth of a practice and the need for a clinical lead11:08 Shifting from teammate to leader18:00 Facing the challenge of being liked vs. being effective22:38 Leading with support, not power30:58 Building systems and shaping new roles36:00 What leadership taught Kristin about herself and her career39:54 Final reflections on risk, growth, and authenticity
Topics we explore in this episode include:orthodontic leadership, clinical lead role in ortho, team confidence building, practice growth and systems, leadership challenges in orthodontics, transitioning careers, patient experience in ortho practices

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