Beyond the Exam Lane: Building Systems and Teams That Scale - Dr. Fallon Patel
Wed Feb 04 2026
Dr. Harbir Sian sits down with Dr. Fallon Patel, Toronto optometrist, owner of five LensCrafters sublease clinics, leader of a 50-person team, and creator of the upcoming AI platform Pulse IQ Solutions.
This conversation goes far beyond clinical care. Dr. Patel shares how she evolved from a full-time clinician to a true business leader—navigating chaos, hiring for culture, developing associate doctors, and building a thriving myopia management program across multiple locations.
She opens up about the mindset shifts that changed her career, the power of coaching, why empathy matters in leadership, and how stepping out of the exam lane allowed her practices to grow. Whether you’re an associate dreaming of ownership or a seasoned OD managing a team, this episode is packed with real-world wisdom.
Key Takeaways
1. You Can’t Scale From the Exam Lane
Growth required Fallon to step back from seeing patients every day. Leadership demands time for strategy, people development, and systems—not just more clinical hours.
2. Hire for Behavior, Not Experience
Skills can be trained; mindset cannot. Fallon hires based on ownership, accountability, adaptability, and respect rather than years on a résumé.
3. Culture Is What You Tolerate
Protect your A-players. Allowing one toxic team member can erode morale faster than any marketing strategy can fix.
4. Myopia Management Requires Belief First
Doctors need to experience success personally before fully adopting it. Start simple—one lens, one approach—and build confidence over time.
5. Leadership Starts With Personal Development
Tactics didn’t move her business—mindset did. Real growth began when Fallon invested in coaching and inner work.
6. Communication Fuels Momentum
Weekly meetings, Slack channels, and constant vision sharing keep large teams aligned across multiple locations.
7. AI Will Be the Next Practice Partner
Pulse IQ Solutions aims to turn business data into guided action for teams—training, SOPs, and performance insights in one hub.
Memorable Quotes
“If you want your external world to improve, you have to start with yourself and work internally.”
“People think working more days makes more money—but everything falls apart when you’re in the lane five days a week.”
“Hire slow, fire fast—experience can be trained; behavior cannot.”
“Leadership is not that employees work for you. It’s that you work for your employees.”
“Something is better than nothing—just pick one myopia option and start.”
“Opportunities show up like luck, but only if you’ve prepared for them.”
Topics We Cover
Transitioning from clinician → leaderManaging 5 clinics and 20 associate ODsCreating accountability without losing empathyBuilding myopia management across a teamUsing metrics to guide cultureWhy coaching changed everythingSocial media as a recruitment toolInside Pulse IQ Solutions and AI for ECPs
About Our Guest – Dr. Fallon Patel
Owner of 5 LensCrafters sublease clinics in the Toronto areaLeads a team of 50+ staff including 20 optometristsPassionate about myopia management & leadership developmentHost of the Optical Accelerator Series on Optical PrismFounder of Pulse IQ Solutions, an AI-driven platform for ECP operationsWife and mother of two
Connect with Dr. Fallon Patel
Instagram: @EyeDocFallonLinkedIn: Dr. Fallon PatelPulse IQ Waitlist: pulseIQsolutions.comOptical Accelerator Series: opticalprism.ca
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Dr. Harbir Sian sits down with Dr. Fallon Patel, Toronto optometrist, owner of five LensCrafters sublease clinics, leader of a 50-person team, and creator of the upcoming AI platform Pulse IQ Solutions. This conversation goes far beyond clinical care. Dr. Patel shares how she evolved from a full-time clinician to a true business leader—navigating chaos, hiring for culture, developing associate doctors, and building a thriving myopia management program across multiple locations. She opens up about the mindset shifts that changed her career, the power of coaching, why empathy matters in leadership, and how stepping out of the exam lane allowed her practices to grow. Whether you’re an associate dreaming of ownership or a seasoned OD managing a team, this episode is packed with real-world wisdom. Key Takeaways 1. You Can’t Scale From the Exam Lane Growth required Fallon to step back from seeing patients every day. Leadership demands time for strategy, people development, and systems—not just more clinical hours. 2. Hire for Behavior, Not Experience Skills can be trained; mindset cannot. Fallon hires based on ownership, accountability, adaptability, and respect rather than years on a résumé. 3. Culture Is What You Tolerate Protect your A-players. Allowing one toxic team member can erode morale faster than any marketing strategy can fix. 4. Myopia Management Requires Belief First Doctors need to experience success personally before fully adopting it. Start simple—one lens, one approach—and build confidence over time. 5. Leadership Starts With Personal Development Tactics didn’t move her business—mindset did. Real growth began when Fallon invested in coaching and inner work. 6. Communication Fuels Momentum Weekly meetings, Slack channels, and constant vision sharing keep large teams aligned across multiple locations. 7. AI Will Be the Next Practice Partner Pulse IQ Solutions aims to turn business data into guided action for teams—training, SOPs, and performance insights in one hub. Memorable Quotes “If you want your external world to improve, you have to start with yourself and work internally.” “People think working more days makes more money—but everything falls apart when you’re in the lane five days a week.” “Hire slow, fire fast—experience can be trained; behavior cannot.” “Leadership is not that employees work for you. It’s that you work for your employees.” “Something is better than nothing—just pick one myopia option and start.” “Opportunities show up like luck, but only if you’ve prepared for them.” Topics We Cover Transitioning from clinician → leaderManaging 5 clinics and 20 associate ODsCreating accountability without losing empathyBuilding myopia management across a teamUsing metrics to guide cultureWhy coaching changed everythingSocial media as a recruitment toolInside Pulse IQ Solutions and AI for ECPs About Our Guest – Dr. Fallon Patel Owner of 5 LensCrafters sublease clinics in the Toronto areaLeads a team of 50+ staff including 20 optometristsPassionate about myopia management & leadership developmentHost of the Optical Accelerator Series on Optical PrismFounder of Pulse IQ Solutions, an AI-driven platform for ECP operationsWife and mother of two Connect with Dr. Fallon Patel Instagram: @EyeDocFallonLinkedIn: Dr. Fallon PatelPulse IQ Waitlist: pulseIQsolutions.comOptical Accelerator Series: opticalprism.ca