5 Ways to Foster a Healthy Company Culture in Your Practice

Culture is one of the most important factors in the success of a business. A strong culture shapes the character of an organization through a shared set of values and practices that define how leadership and staff should work together and support clients. Establishing an effective corporate culture is just the beginning; it requires consistent nurturing to flourish. 

A global survey on culture by PricewaterhouseCoopers from 2021 found that 67% of respondents believed culture was more important than strategy or operations. More recently, a Gallup survey from this year found that employees were 4.3 times more likely to be engaged at work and perform better if they felt connected to the culture. They were also less likely to burn out or leave their employer.

In a climate where healthcare employee turnover rates continue to rise, it’s more important than ever to cultivate an environment that retains top talent. Here are 5 ways to ensure your practice is taking steps in creating a healthy company culture. 

1. Leadership, Set the Example
2. Gather Employee Feedback
3. Create Team-Building Activities
4. Promote Diversity and Inclusion
5. Reduce Employee Burnout  

1. Leadership, Set the Example

Alignment for the entire team starts from the top. When senior leadership acts in accordance with the organization’s mission and exemplifies its values, it influences the rest of the team to do the same.  

Encourage open communication from your practice doctors or administrators and have a regular cadence of meetings to update the team on what work is underway to streamline operations and enhance the patient experience. Ensure all employees understand why their work matters and how it fits into the practice’s purpose, preventing misalignment down the road.

2. Gather Employee Feedback

It is difficult to improve company culture if you don’t know what’s not working. Staff must feel comfortable being able to share their opinions and concerns in their work environment. 

Use anonymous employee engagement surveys and exit interviews from departing staff to gain insights on the strengths and improvement areas of the cultural climate. Review the results to create a plan for meaningful change that contributes to a more positive environment. This demonstrates a commitment to growth and builds trust among the team. 

3. Create Team-Building Activities

Collaboration is more easily achievable when you know the people you’re working with beyond just the surface level. The Guardian described in an article how team-building activities not only boost morale but further align the team on a shared goal and promote a cohesive environment. Employees are happier when they feel valued, which then maximizes productivity and increases retention. 

Begin meetings with icebreakers to increase engagement and loosen any tension. Incorporate a recognition system for employee contributions to encourage connection and reinforce the staff’s confidence. Have weekly catch-up questions to build rapport and help employees feel more comfortable with each other. 

4. Promote Diversity and Inclusion

A 2025 study published by ScienceDirect found that promoting diversity and inclusion within the healthcare workforce advocates for marginalized groups to have equal opportunity for advancement and increases innovation with diverse perspectives. Patients were also more likely to be satisfied with their care and adhere to physician guidelines when they felt their identity reflected within the staff.  

Create mentorship and sponsorship opportunities to support the career growth of marginalized identities, specifically female employees or staff of color. Foster a culture of accountability and transparency around hiring practices and policymaking, such as public responses to acts of discrimination or cultural sensitivity training to combat implicit biases.  

5. Reduce Employee Burnout

From concerns about the fairness of work conditions to perceived lack of support and an unrelenting workload, there are many causes of employee burnout. Healthcare workers have been especially susceptible since the COVID-19 pandemic, with a study from Human Resources for Health reporting more than one-third of public health workers suffer from burnout. 

Gallup reports that 62% of teams that feel aligned with their company culture are less likely to feel burnt out at work. Support your staff with mental health resources and prioritize stress management. Encourage employees to take breaks and set clear, flexible expectations to avoid later misunderstandings. 

A strong company culture serves as a differentiator in the marketplace, attracting top talent and patients to the door. It also reinforces an environment that delivers on its mission and abides by its core values. When the team is set up for success, the business thrives. Nextech's dedicated team of consultants can help you create better connections throughout your practice and add efficiencies into your workflow in order to give you time back to solve the challenges you face every day and grow a stronger company culture. Contact us to learn more.