Ever had a great new hire struggle early on because expectations weren’t clear?

Each week in Calm the Chaos, I share practical tips, real-world stories, and simple tech tools to help your practice run smoothly.

This week, let’s talk about setting clear expectations with a simple agreement from the very beginning.

STORY TIME:

Clear Agreements Transformed an Orthopedic Clinic

BEFORE THE FIX

A growing orthopedic clinic was excited about their new hires, but the excitement didn’t last. New team members quickly ran into confusion about their roles. Expectations were unclear, mistakes started adding up, and even the most promising staff began to underperform. Frustration grew on both sides, and leadership was unsure how to turn things around.

THE SOLUTION

The clinic rolled out a one-page agreement that every employee signed before their first day. This document outlined responsibilities, expected behaviors, and a few non-negotiables tied to the clinic’s values. It was separate from the legal contract, more like a quick-reference guide that reinforced what excellence looked like in daily practice.

THE RESULTS

From the first week, there was less confusion and more accountability. Staff knew what was expected and felt confident asking for help when needed. Managers had a go-to document to coach from. Teamwork improved, and so did morale.

TAKEAWAY

Clarity creates confidence. When expectations are visible from day one, staff know how to show up and succeed.

ACTIONABLE TIPS FOR THE WEEK:

Set Clear Standards from Day One

🟠 Draft a one-page agreement that outlines expectations, behaviors, and a few KPIs tied to the role.

🟠 Have every new hire sign it before their first shift, not just during onboarding.

🟠 Reintroduce the same agreement to current staff when rolling out new standards or values.

🟠 Use the agreement to coach, not punish. Reference it when standards slip and turn it into a supportive conversation.

Micro-Challenge:

If you don’t already have one, create your one-page agreement this week.

Share it during your next team meeting and invite feedback.

Notice how it changes your conversations and your team’s clarity.

Hit reply and let me know how it goes. I read every response.

TANIA'S TECH TIPS:

Tool Highlight: Google Docs

Google Docs makes it easy to create and update your employee agreement. You can share it with the team, make real-time edits, and access it from any device.

💡 Pro tip: Use the "Comment" feature to highlight key points and start conversations with your team. It helps reinforce expectations and invites dialogue not just compliance.

WHAT I’M READING:

The Success Principles by Jack Canfield

One of my favorites. It’s all about ownership, clarity, and setting the tone for success.

Perfect if you're revisiting how your team understands expectations.

SMALL CHANGES, BIG RESULTS

When your team knows what great looks like, they’re more likely to deliver it.

Everyone’s a VIP: Mastering Patient Communications for Excellence, my on-demand training, walks you through the habits and conversations that help teams stay accountable and thrive. If you want to build a practice where expectations aren’t just set but lived out every day, this is for you.

TRAIN YOUR 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