Is your team aligned with your values, or just getting through the day?

In a busy practice, it's easy for everyone to focus on tasks and forget what really matters. But when your values are clear and visible, your team shows up with more consistency, care, and pride in their work.

Every week in Calm the Chaos, I share real stories, practical tips, and simple tools to help you lead a medical practice where your staff and patients thrive.

This week, we're talking about how to turn values into habits that build trust and improve care.

STORY TIME:

How One Primary Care Clinic Brought Their Values to Life

BEFORE THE FIX

In a busy primary care clinic, each part of the team focused only on their own responsibilities. The front desk checked patients in quickly. Medical assistants took vitals and helped get patients settled. Providers stayed focused on clinical care. Everyone was busy, but not working together. New hires were trained on tasks, but not expectations. Some patients left happy. Others felt rushed or overlooked. Stress ran high, and communication often broke down.

THE SHIFT

After seeing mixed feedback from patients and staff, the lead physician brought the whole team together and asked,

 "What kind of practice do we want to be known for?"

Everyone from schedulers to providers shared stories they were proud of. Together, they chose six core values: compassion, teamwork, accountability, communication, respect, and continuous improvement.

Each value was linked to a real example.

 "Teamwork means helping room a patient during a busy shift, even if that’s not part of your usual job."

Leadership updated onboarding materials, brought values into huddles, and used them in feedback conversations.

Instead of vague praise, managers said things like,

 "You showed accountability by catching that lab delay before it reached the provider."

THE RESULTS

New hires understood what was expected. Managers had a consistent way to coach. Staff supported each other more often.

Patients noticed. Reviews improved. The clinic started feeling like one team with one mission.

TAKEAWAY

When your values are clear, lived, and reinforced, your culture strengthens. That leads to better care, stronger teams, and less daily stress.

ACTIONABLE TIPS FOR THE WEEK:

How to Build a Culture of Recognition

👉 Spot and Share Wins in Real Time: Celebrate daily excellence in huddles, team chats, or with a quick note.

👉 Celebrate Publicly and Personally: Recognize team members in meetings and one-on-one. Share positive patient feedback and name the staff involved.

👉 Lift Up Every Team Member: Don’t just spotlight the top performers. Even small wins deserve attention.

👉 Connect Praise to Your Values: For example, “Thank you for your patience on that call. That is the service our patients count on.”

👉 Make Recognition Fun and Creative: Use a recognition wall, small treats, or team shout-outs to keep energy high.

Micro-Challenge:

At your next huddle, tell a story about a recent win, no matter how small. Notice how the atmosphere shifts. If you see a difference, reply to this email and share your experience. I would love to hear it!

TANIA'S TECH TIPS:

Tool Highlight: Google Workspace

Create a shared Google Doc listing your values with examples. Set it to view-only for staff and editable for leadership.

Link it in onboarding materials, huddle notes, and review templates so your values stay part of your workflow.

💡 Pro tip: Use a Google Form to collect shoutouts. Let your team highlight when someone lives out a value. Read one aloud at each staff meeting.

WHAT I’M READING:

Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller

This book is a great reminder that clarity builds connection. When your messaging is rooted in values, patients feel it and your team stays aligned.

SMALL CHANGES, BIG RESULTS

If you want your team to reflect your mission in every interaction, start with clear values, lead by example, and keep the conversation going.

In our training, Everyone’s a VIP: Mastering Patient Communications for Excellence, your team will learn how to connect each patient interaction back to your core values with clarity and confidence.

TRAIN THE TEAM

P.S. Missed my latest masterclass, “How to Hire Superstars for Your Medical Practice (And How to Keep Them)”? Catch the replay for actionable tips on building a values-driven team.

Watch the Replay