Have you created a positive culture within your organization? As a whole, the healthcare industry is a stressful one; however, creating and fostering a positive team culture impacts both your staff and the patients they deal with daily.

What is Workplace Culture?

The company culture you create in your healthcare practice is a shared set of attitudes, beliefs, and values that guide staff members’ behavior. This culture is essential to your overall success as it reflects the way you want your staff to interact with patients and one another. A nurturing, positive culture is a critical aspect of improving employee engagement and boosting productivity.

As an organization, if you aren’t proactive about company culture, you will likely experience high employee turnover rates and dissatisfied patients. On the other hand, a positive culture can help your healthcare business thrive by creating a happy environment for everyone who walks through the door.

Tips for Fostering Positivity

You can create a positive work environment and avoid negative behaviors at the same time. Consider these tips to help your healthcare organization thrive:

1. Hands-On Training: When employees have opportunities to learn and advance their skills, they find more satisfaction in their work activities. Not only does training help with healthcare compliance, but it also gives staff members confidence in their performance. Training is essential in the onboarding process, and ongoing training should be available for experienced staff members.
2. Management Practices: Taking a “top-down” approach is the most effective way to build the company culture that you desire. When managers and supervisors show up to work with the right attitude each day, this positivity is contagious with other team members and coworkers. Encourage managers to be proactive in creating a positive environment while also offering the feedback and guidance needed to keep the daily workflow on track.
3. Empathy: Employees don’t want to feel like another number on the payroll. When an employee is seen and heard in the workplace, it helps them feel like a vital team member. Empathy is the ability to see things from someone else’s perspective. When managers and coworkers can understand each employee’s feelings and needs, it creates a safe, supportive environment where people can thrive.
4. Set the Tone: While there are moments when serious conversations need to occur, don’t let negativity overshadow every interaction during the day. When the stressful moments have passed, look for ways to lighten the mood with a little bit of humor and fun. If your team members enjoy what they are doing, then their satisfaction and productivity increase.
5. Zero Tolerance Policy: A critical aspect of creating a positive company culture is to ensure that you are protecting employees in the workplace. People need to be able to be themselves while respecting others who have an opposing point of view. Establish a strict zero-tolerance policy that prohibits disrespectful behavior while encouraging inclusivity and diversity.
6. Vendor Selection: Not only do staff members need to interact with coworkers and patients each day, but vendors can also play a role in the experience. As you create a positive work environment, consider how your vendors can help with your long-term goals. For example, choosing a customer-centric solution (like RecordQuest) can streamline workflow, freeing up employees’ schedules to spend more time helping patients.

Creating a positive culture for your business brings various benefits that you can’t put a price tag on. Happy employees result in satisfied patients, leading to more referrals and an excellent reputation for your practice.

Good luck in creating your business’ culture!