Does your practice feel a little chaotic sometimes? You’re not alone.

Each week in Calm the Chaos, I share actionable strategies, real-world stories, and simple tech solutions to help you take control and create a better experience for your patients and team.

Let’s talk about a leadership mistake I see too often: promoting someone out of their zone of genius.

STORY TIME:

How One Podiatry Practice Used a Patient Volume Goal to Boost Team Momentum

BEFORE THE FIX

A dependable, long-time team member was promoted from an administrative position into a clinical support role. She was loyal, loved by patients, and eager to grow.

But soon after the transition, it became clear the new role wasn’t a good fit. Tasks took too long. She struggled to keep pace with clinical protocols. Communication with the provider team became strained.

To make matters worse, her previous role had already been filled. There was no going back.

Now, the physician is left with a tough call. Keep someone in a role where they’re not thriving, or make the difficult decision to start over.

THE TAKEAWAY

Promotions should never be used as rewards. They should be purposeful placements based on skills, temperament, and training. When we skip that due diligence, we risk damaging morale, slowing productivity, and losing great employees for the wrong reasons.

ACTIONABLE TIPS FOR THE WEEK:

How to Promote Without Derailing Performance

1️⃣ Evaluate Strengths, Not Just Tenure

Success in one position doesn’t guarantee readiness for another. Consider the day-to-day demands of the new role and whether your team member has the right wiring to succeed.

2️⃣ Slow Down Before You Move Up

When possible, let the team member shadow the new role or go through a trial period. Leadership decisions made too quickly can create long-term frustration.

3️⃣ Have a Back-Up Plan

Be prepared for the possibility that the transition may not work out. Create options for cross-training, reassignments, or thoughtful offboarding to protect your team culture. Smart leadership is about fit, not favors.

TANIA'S TECH TIPS:

Use Role-Specific Checklists to Guide Transitions

Want to know if someone is truly ready to step into a new position?

Use a documented checklist to assess:

✓ Task readiness

✓ Communication and collaboration

✓ Understanding of workflows

💡 Pro Tip: Create a “Day in the Life” overview of each position. Before offering a promotion, let the team member shadow someone currently in that role to set realistic expectations

WHAT I’M READING:

Traction by Gino Wickman

In Traction, Wickman emphasizes the importance of putting the right people in the right seats. It’s not enough to have great people. They need to be aligned with the role and responsibilities they’re given.

“What gets measured gets done. What gets measured and reported improves exponentially.”

A great employee can still be in the wrong seat. Strong leaders recognize this and make thoughtful changes that benefit both the person and the practice.

SMALL CHANGES, BIG RESULTS

If you’ve ever struggled with promotions, team structure, or helping people thrive in the right role, you’re not alone.

Join me live on April 25 for my free masterclass:

How to Hire Superstars for Your Medical Practice (and How to Keep Them)

We’ll talk about:

• Structuring your team for success
• Training front-line staff to confidently represent your brand
• Making smart, sustainable leadership decisions

Live attendees will receive a free copy of my book Medical Practice Makeover.

RESERVE YOUR SPOT NOW