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Recruitment, team journey and leadership are big topics that can often slip down the priority list in a busy private practice. How many therapists received formal training to manage a team before setting up their clinic? For some it might come naturally, but for most it’s a skill that can and must be developed.

As the saying goes, ‘Culture eats strategy for breakfast every single day’. Strategy gives you direction. Culture gives you traction.

No matter how meticulously you have planned your business strategy, if your culture is toxic or even just ‘vanilla’ it is going to be an uphill battle to run a successful business. I’m not saying strategy is not important because it is. Over the many years of working with private healthcare businesses, we have seen that those with a plan have generally had more success in achieving their goals than those who have just flown by the seat of their pants.

Culture, however, is the glue that keeps the business together, giving it longevity and stability. It is what attracts great candidates to your business and retains them. Yes, you have to be able to be competitive and offer the right remuneration packages but ultimately if you get culture right you will create a business that is a pleasure to own, a pleasure to work in and painless to run.

With the world of recruitment as it is today, it is so important to create an environment where your team members love coming to work, feel engaged and motivated. Belonging is one of the most fundamental human needs, it’s not a luxury. To help your team thrive, you need to intentionally cultivate that sense of belonging and trust.

Living your WHY and your values

Having a clearly defined WHY (purpose) and outlined values are the building blocks of your culture. What is at the very heart of WHY your business is in existence and what are the non-negotiables of how your business comes across to your patients and team?