Unlocking Leadership:Personality Insights with Kimberly Collins

How knowing yourself (and your team) can change the game

In this episode of the Hey Docs! Podcast, Jill sits down once again with Kimberly Collins, Enneagram coach, and MBTI practitioner, to unpack how personality assessments can do far more than tell you if you're an introvert or extrovert. Together, they explore how these tools can be used to shape stronger leaders, build trust in teams, and create a culture where people actually want to show up—and grow.

More Than Just a Test: Using Personality Tools with Purpose

From the start, it’s clear this isn’t your average "what's your type?" conversation. Kimberly brings the heat with practical insight on how the Enneagram and MBTI go beyond labels—they’re frameworks to help us better understand patterns in behavior, communication, and emotional response.

As Jill points out, in orthodontic practices (and honestly, most workplaces), it’s easy to fall into the trap of seeing personality tests as fun but surface-level. Kimberly helps reframe them as strategic tools for building self-awareness and emotional intelligence—two things every great leader needs in their back pocket.

Emotional Intelligence: The Secret Sauce of Leadership

Kimberly puts it simply: the best leaders are healthy and self-aware. Full stop. Emotional intelligence isn’t just about knowing how you feel—it’s about managing your reactions, recognizing how others operate, and leading in a way that builds safety and connection.

Jill brings up the real-world implications—how leaders who understand their triggers (and their team’s) are better equipped to handle conflict, coach effectively, and create space for honest feedback. When you’re the emotional thermostat for your team, it pays to know how to keep things in the right range.

Creating Psychological Safety—Even When Things Get Stressful

Let’s be honest: orthodontic practices move fast. Stressful days and packed schedules come with the territory. But psychological safety isn’t about removing pressure—it’s about making sure your team can navigate it together.

Kimberly shares tangible ways to build that kind of environment—clear expectations, space for reflection, and leaders who model vulnerability. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being real and creating a team culture where people feel safe to speak up, take ownership, and grow.

Supporting Your Office Managers and Team Leads the Right Way

One of the most powerful parts of the episode is the deep dive into leadership development. Jill addresses what so many practice owners know all too well: we promote people for being great in their role but don’t always give them the tools to lead.

Kimberly talks about the Peter Principle—when people rise to the level of their incompetence—and how that can be avoided by prioritizing emotional intelligence and personal development alongside technical skills. Leadership isn’t just a title—it’s a mindset shift. And with the right support, your internal team leaders can thrive.

Final Takeaways: Grow Yourself, Grow Your Team

Jill and Kimberly wrap the conversation with a reminder we all need: self-awareness is a journey, not a destination. The more you invest in your own growth as a leader, the better equipped you are to lead others with clarity, empathy, and purpose.

If you're interested in digging deeper into personality insights or leveling up your team’s leadership skills, Kimberly offers one-on-one coaching and team workshops through her company, Enneagram Reflections. She’s your go-to for creating custom growth plans rooted in real insight.

As Kimberly says: “Healthy leaders help their teams become more healthy.” And we couldn’t agree more.