In this episode, Dr. Matt Hill interviews Dr. Lauren Mansolf of Sprouting Life Chiropractic in Chattanooga, TN about leadership and team culture during practice growth. She describes early warning signs of team misalignment—pushback on schedule changes, eye rolls, negativity, dropped responsibilities, declining KPIs, and staff no longer bringing their kids in for regular care—along with her gut discomfort walking into her own office. She explains how trying to compromise to keep the team together led to hiring a part-time role that became her COO, Brooke, whose buy-in came from personal experience as a patient’s mom. That hire raised expectations and triggered major team turnover, but helped reset hiring, onboarding, training, and communication around clear expectations, core values, vulnerability, and introducing prayer in the office. Dr. Lauren defines success as sustained community impact and patient stories rather than revenue goals, and closes with advice to listen to your gut, stay aligned with purpose, and follow the vision even through difficult seasons.

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Key Moments: 

04:26 Lauren’s Origin Story: From Chronic Illness to Pediatric-Focused Practice

07:52 First Culture Red Flag: Pushback, Eye Rolls, and Resistance to Growth

11:16 Leader’s Dilemma: People-Pleasing, Compromise, and Hiring Help

13:04 Spotting the Real Issue: Vision vs Buy-In (Growth vs Complacency)

16:01 Warning Signs You Miss at First: KPIs Drop, Negativity, and Gut Discomfort

20:41 Stop Doing It ‘Because We Always Have’: Embracing Change in Practice

21:18 Hiring for Vision: The Brooke (COO) Story

22:46 Onboarding & Interviewing Differently: Mission Over Money

26:02 The ‘Launch Point’ Isn’t Easy: Leveling Up Triggers Turnover

26:53 Rebuilding Culture: Training, Prayer, Vulnerability & Clear Expectations

29:00 From Toxic to Thriving: KPIs Up, Meetings Better, Team Engaged

31:54 Advice for Owners: Spot the Soft Signs Before They Turn Toxic

33:27 Support Systems Matter: Masterminds, Mentors, and Trusting Your Gut

34:59 Defining Success: Community Impact Over Revenue Milestones

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