Culture Focused Practice

In this episode of the Culture Focused Practice podcast, I dive into Vision and Traction - two of the most foundational and badass parts of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS).

This is part two in a three-part EOS Bootcamp series, and we’re getting into the nitty-gritty of how to actually set goals and follow through on them without burning out or losing steam two weeks later. I revisit the six core components of EOS, unpack why goals fall flat in group practices (spoiler: it’s not you, it’s your lack of systems), and walk you through what it actually means to have a clear vision and boots-on-the-ground traction. We talk core values, core focus, quarterly rocks, issues lists, and how to keep your team moving in the same damn direction. 

Plus, if you’re EOS-curious or already playing with the framework, I’ve got resources to make it easier: a free Facebook group, and a six-month Mastermind to help you implement this whole thing without losing your mind.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:17 Overview of EOS Bootcamp Series
01:32 Recap of Episode One
03:09 Why Goals Fall Flat in Group Practices
08:11 Understanding the Vision Component
18:04 Aligning Leadership on Vision
18:27 Creating a One-Year Plan
19:18 Setting Quarterly Rocks
20:13 The Importance of an Issues List
21:06 The Power of Identifying Obstacles
22:27 Recap of Vision Components
24:39 Introduction to Traction
25:55 Setting and Owning Quarterly Rocks
27:34 Effective Meeting Strategies
29:55 Ensuring Consistent Follow-Through
30:57 Getting Started with EOS
35:02 Final Thoughts and Resources

Wanna keep the EOS convo going?
 👉 Join the free Facebook group: The EOS Collective for Group Practices
👉 Hop on the waitlist for the EOS Mastermind: www.taravossenkemper.com → Work With Me → EOS Mastermind
👉 And don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss part three of the series. (It’s all about Right People, Right Seats, and solving those juicy practice problems.)

In this episode of the Culture Focused Practice podcast, I’m kicking off the EOS Bootcamp series - a three-part, no-BS breakdown of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and why it might just be the structure your group practice has been begging for. EOS, created by Gino Wickman, helps you actually organize and lead your business like a grown-up (in the best way). In this first episode, we’re diving into the foundations - what EOS is, the six key components (vision, people, data, issues, process, traction), and why so many practice owners are stuck spinning their wheels without it. If you’re over the chaos and ready to get your shit together, this one’s for you.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:17 Overview of the EOS Bootcamp Series
01:20 What is EOS?
04:20 The Importance of EOS for Entrepreneurs
07:09 Challenges Without EOS
17:47 Six Key Components of EOS
23:28 Conclusion and Next Steps

Want to take EOS even further in your practice? Join the free Facebook group The EOS Collective for Group Practices and get on the waitlist for the EOS Mastermind - it’s where implementation actually happens, with support. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss the rest of this Bootcamp series.

In this third episode of the Culture Isn't Really What You Think series (aka the "Good Vibes Won't Save You" series), Dr. Tara Vossenkemper dives into culture-driven leadership - what actually builds a strong practice culture (hint: it’s not trust falls and mission statements).

We’re talking leader behavior, consistency, and accountability (read: the real shit that shapes your team's experience). Tara breaks down why core values don’t mean jack unless you’re actually living them out, why inconsistency is a culture killer, and how clear communication keeps your team from feeling like they’re reading your mind (spoiler: they can't).

She also digs into radical consistency, visible accountability, and balancing approachability with authority - aka how to be a respected leader without turning into Michael Scott (or a dictator #Yikes). Expect real-talk examples, practical steps, and some straight-up challenges to help you ditch the culture chaos and build a team that thrives.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome to the Culture Focused Practice Podcast
01:22 – How Leaders Actually Set the Tone for Culture
03:13 – Why Consistency & Behavior Matter More Than Words
05:40 – The Role of Trust & Accountability in Leadership
08:16 – Three Key Habits of Leaders Who Build Strong Culture
09:08 – Radical Consistency & Clear Communication (aka No More Mixed Signals)
19:44 – How Leaders Accidentally Screw Up Communication
21:23 – The Leadership Habits That Actually Work
22:39 – Visible Accountability: How Owning Your Mistakes Builds Trust
26:49 – Balancing Approachability & Authority (Without Being a Pushover)
29:18 – The Culture Reinforcement Loop (aka How Teams Hold Each Other Accountable)
32:14 – Embedding Culture in Daily Leadership Without Burning Out
35:27 – Final Challenge & Membership Invite

🚀 Want to build a team that actually lives your culture (instead of just pretending to)? Join me inside the Culture Focused Practice Membership, where we break this stuff down, troubleshoot real-life leadership issues, and make sure your practice culture isn’t running off the rails.

👉 Join here: www.taravossenkemper.com/culture-focus-practice

Also - subscribe! Seriously. It helps more group practice owners like you actually find this podcast (and it keeps you from missing new episodes). Hit that button, and let’s keep this convo going. 🎙🔥

In this episode of the Culture Focused Practice Podcast, we’re diving into energy audits - aka, how to figure out who’s subtly (or not-so-subtly) dragging your team down. This is Part 2 of our "The Culture Isn't Really What You Think" series, where we’re busting myths about team culture and getting real about what actually makes (or breaks) a strong practice.

Here’s the deal: negativity spreads - and most of the time, you don’t even notice it happening. We’re talking about chronic complainers, silent resistors, passive-aggressive peacemakers, overburdened stars, and those sneaky unspoken leaders who might be steering your team in the wrong direction. In this episode, I’ll break down how to spot these energy drains, assess their impact, and actually do something about it before they tank your practice culture.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• Why the real culture problems are usually the sneaky, slow leaks—not the big explosions.
• How to assess team energy with structured energy audits (and why you need them).
• The five types of energy-draining team members (bet you’ve worked with at least one of these).
• How unchecked negativity spreads—and how to cut it off at the source.
• The three-step approach to dealing with energy drains: Assess, Address, Coach (or Cut).
• Why consistent energy checks are non-negotiable if you want a thriving team.

⏳ Time Stamps for Easy Skimming:

00:00 – Welcome to the Culture Focused Practice Podcast!
01:18 – Not all culture issues are obvious (and why that’s a problem).
03:44 – WTF is an energy audit and why does your practice need one?
07:11 – The real energy-drainers: Chronic complainers, silent resistors, and more.
14:38 – How to actually address energy drains without losing your mind.
21:22 – The three-tiered impact assessment: Occasional, chronic, or toxic?
22:00 – Why you need to talk to people directly (instead of silently seething).
22:39 – How to handle chronic issues: Tough love + real conversations.
24:05 – The no-BS approach to toxic behavior: Boundaries, consequences, and action.
25:03 – Shape up or ship out: Coaching vs. letting go.
29:24 – The only way to keep your team’s energy in check long-term.
32:07 – Why you need to follow up (and how to actually get useful feedback).
34:39 – Quick recap: What to do next.
35:47 – 🎉 Want to fix your practice culture? Join the Culture Focused Practice Membership!

📢 Next Steps: Join the Membership & Fix This for Good

If your team feels off, but you can’t quite put your finger on why, join me inside the Culture Focused Practice Membership. You get me live twice a month (one Q&A + one training), a private Facebook group, and a library of past trainings and resources to help you actually build a strong, sustainable team culture.

🔥 Next training: Deep dive into Energy Audits (so you can fix this ASAP).

👉 Join now at www.taravossenkemper.com/culture-focused-practice

Also - hit that subscribe button so you don’t miss the final episode in this series, where we’re talking about Culture-Driven Leadership: What Great Leaders Do Differently. See ya there! 🎙️

In this episode of the Culture Focused Practice podcast, we’re kicking off a brand-new series that challenges the biggest misconceptions about culture. Spoiler: It’s not about “good vibes” and team-building retreats. Instead, culture is shaped by what you allow, tolerate, and hold people accountable for - whether you realize it or not.

I'm diving into the real, sometimes uncomfortable truth: your culture is being defined every single day by how you handle conflict, the behaviors you let slide, and the unspoken rules running the show. 

We’ll cover:

✅ The sneaky ways culture issues show up in meetings and 1:1s.
✅ How to spot unspoken rules that shape your team’s behavior (for better or worse).
✅ The role of clear, consistent accountability (a.k.a. the thing most practice owners avoid).
✅ Practical steps to reinforce the culture you actually want.

This episode is a must-listen if you want to stop being “nice” at the expense of your leadership and start shaping a culture that works.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:18 New Series Announcement: Culture Isn’t What You Think
00:57 Episode Breakdown and Focus
01:14 Defining Culture: Beyond Team Building
08:57 Unspoken Rules and Team Dynamics
13:56 Identifying and Addressing Culture Issues
22:08 Diagnosing Your Culture
28:20 Reinforcing Desired Culture
31:37 Conclusion and Next Episodes Preview

👉 Next Steps: If this episode hit home, let’s take it further:

• Join the Culture Focused Practice Membership to get the strategies and support to actually fix your culture.
• Get on the EOS Mastermind waitlist if you're serious about streamlining your practice with EOS.
• Jump into our free EOS Facebook group, The EOS Collective for Group Practices, and connect with like-minded practice owners.

🎧 Listen, apply, and let’s build something that doesn’t just look good on paper, but actually works.

In this final episode of the Culture Focused Practice podcast’s three-part burnout series, we’re talking about the mindset shift that changes everything—moving from practitioner to CEO.

Because let’s be real: if you’re still running your group practice like a solo therapist, you’re probably drowning in decisions, client issues, and a never-ending to-do list. This episode covers how to delegate like an actual leader (not just offloading tasks and hoping for the best), why energy management beats time management every damn time, and how to ditch the ‘helper guilt’ that’s keeping you overcommitted and exhausted. Plus, we’re talking about real breaks—the kind where you don’t check your email 20 times a day.

If you’re ready to step into actual leadership, empower your team, and stop letting your practice eat you alive, this one’s for you.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to the Culture Focused Practice Podcast
00:09 Recap of Burnout Series
00:56 Episode 3: Leading Like a CEO
01:39 The Importance of Boundaries
02:47 Mindset Shift: Practitioner to CEO
07:55 Key Leadership Shifts
13:52 Delegating Like a CEO
20:48 Energy Management vs. Time Management
29:58 Conclusion and Membership Invitation

🎧 Listen now, and if you want to go even deeper, join the Culture Focused Practice Membership! You’ll get the tools, strategies, and community you need to build a sustainable, culture-driven practice - without running yourself into the ground.

👉 Join here: Culture Focused Practice Membership!

In this episode of The Culture Focused Practice Podcast, I’m diving into boundaries—the kind that actually stick and don’t make you feel like an asshole for having them. We’re talking about the biggest mistakes practice owners make (hint: being too damn available, absorbing everyone’s stress like a human sponge, and overworking because training people is exhausting).

I’ll break down time, emotional, decision, and communication boundaries—because “just say no” is bullshit advice if you don’t have a plan to back it up. Plus, we’ll cover how to handle pushback from your team without caving (or losing your damn mind).

Bottom line? You can’t run a thriving practice if you’re running yourself into the ground. Let’s fix that.

Episode Breakdown:

⏳ 00:00 – Intro + Why Boundaries Matter (aka, stop burning yourself out)
🔄 00:44 – Quick Recap of the Last Episode
⚡ 01:05 – The Real Cost of Having No Boundaries
🚩 06:03 – Boundary Mistakes You’re Probably Making
🛑 11:10 – How to Set Boundaries That Actually Stick
🙅‍♂️ 25:58 – Dealing With Team Pushback Like a Boss
🏁 31:25 – Wrap-Up + Next Steps

👀 Want more strategies to build a practice that doesn’t drain the life out of you? 

Join the Culture Focused Practice Membership for expert guidance, real talk, and a community of practice owners who get it.

In this episode of the Culture Focused Practice Podcast, I’m kicking off a three-part series on burnout—because let’s be real, if you own a group practice, burnout is probably lurking around the corner (or already sitting in your passenger seat, eating your snacks).

We’re talking about the real burnout traps that practice owners fall into—the ones that go beyond just working too much. Burnout isn’t just about long hours; it’s about chronic stress, emotional exhaustion, and feeling like you’ve completely lost control over your work and its meaning. Sound familiar? Thought so.

I’m busting some common burnout myths, calling out the sneaky false beliefs that keep you stuck, and highlighting the warning signs that scream, “Hey, you’re running on fumes!” This episode lays the groundwork for the next two in the series—where we’ll tackle boundaries (the ones that actually work) and how to lead your team without running yourself into the ground.

Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome to the Culture Focused Practice Podcast
00:23 What Burnout Really Is (Hint: It’s Not Just Overworking)
02:32 The Biggest Myths About Burnout
03:52 Emotional Exhaustion and That "Lost Control" Feeling
05:29 Can You Burn Out Doing What You Love? (Yep.)
12:43 The Physical and Emotional Warning Signs of Burnout
18:56 The Lies You Tell Yourself That Keep You Stuck
24:52 When You’ve Hit the Final Stage (And What Comes Next)

🔥 If this episode hit home, then I need you inside the Culture Focused Practice Membership - because fixing burnout isn’t just about self-care, it’s about building a practice that doesn’t chew you up and spit you out (and then do it again, like some chum from a cow [cows haev three stomachs, btw, so that's a lot of chewing up and spitting out]). Get the support, strategy, and sanity-saving tools you need inside the membership! Join me today!!

In this episode of The Culture Focused Practice Podcast, I’m breaking down a leadership trap that too many group practice owners fall into—constantly playing cleanup. If you’re stuck micromanaging, fixing mistakes, and generally feeling like the only adult in the room, this one's for you.

We’ll talk about why you keep falling into this cycle (spoiler: helper tendencies, unclear expectations, and a fear of being “too harsh” are big culprits). Then, I’ll walk you through the mindset shifts that help you stop playing cleanup and start building a culture where your team actually owns their work. Plus, I’ll break down the four key ingredients to making it happen:

• Setting clear expectations
• Holding people accountable (without being a dictator)
• Empowering decision-making
• Creating solid feedback loops

If you’re ready to step out of cleanup mode and into actual leadership, this episode is a must-listen.

Episode Breakdown:
00:00 – Intro: Why Cleanup Mode is a Leadership Nightmare
01:24 – The Root of the Problem (and Why It’s So Common)
02:44 – The Three Big Fixes You Need to Make
03:17 – Why Leaders Get Stuck in Cleanup Mode
08:27 – Mindset Shifts That Help You Let Go
12:58 – How to Build a True Culture of Ownership
24:23 – Recap & Takeaways
27:22 – Ready to Build a Team That Actually Steps Up? Join the Culture Focused Practice Membership

In this episode of the Culture Focused Practice Podcast, I’m breaking down why so many goals crash and burn—and, more importantly, how to actually achieve them. Spoiler: It’s not about working harder or manifesting success through sheer willpower.

I’m covering the biggest goal-setting disasters, like setting way too many goals, failing to track progress, and falling for shiny object syndrome (we’ve all been there). Plus, I’ll walk you through a practical, no-BS approach to setting goals that actually work—including how to break them down into doable steps, assign ownership (yes, even for yourself), and track progress without losing your mind.

We’re also tackling perfectionism, goal fatigue, and knowing when to adjust instead of stubbornly sticking to something that’s not working.

If you’re tired of spinning your wheels with goal setting, this one’s for you. And if you want deeper support, join the Culture Focused Practice Membership, where we take this kind of stuff and actually apply it in real life.

Episode Breakdown

00:00 - Intro: Why goals keep failing
00:09 - The biggest mistakes in goal setting
02:41 - What not to do (seriously, stop doing this)
07:22 - How to set SMART goals without overcomplicating it
13:07 - Assigning ownership & tracking progress like a pro
16:17 - Avoiding perfectionism & making goals work for you
22:03 - Wrapping up + your next step

👉 Join the Culture Focused Practice Membership for more guidance, resources, and strategies to build a practice that actually runs smoothly.