How to build a fun work culture
First and foremost—Thank you for reading; I appreciate the opportunity to help people learn from my mistakes and even my successes. Though, I can’t take all the credit — these blogs typically start with inquisitive questions from our marketing team. I must admit, the most recent question put me on pause.
"What were things you did to keep the culture fun while building partnerships between the staff at clinics?”
I basically blue-screened.
Many memories flooded my brain, overflowing my capacity to sort them out. I’ve been blessed with lots of good times.
During my practice days, we established a tradition of closing for lunch every Monday. We went anywhere the staff wanted. Caught up on each other’s lives and decompressed. This one small act of community completely changed the tone for the rest of the week.
In my subsequent role as an Outpatient Rehabilitation Manager at a large hospital system, committees were dedicated to arranging parties and get-togethers. Therefore, the fun I implemented fell more into the daily workload by encouraging my team to latch onto an area of specific interest. Together we would work on a plan to integrate that interest into their week. The team pursued a variety of passions: Some delved into post-surgical care, others embraced Tai Chi and community education, and some explored pet therapy. We dedicated four hours each week for team members to devote to their passion projects. As a result, several individuals willingly extended their work week to 36 hours to make room for this creative and fulfilling time.
At Advent Physical Therapy, (an Alliance Physical Therapy Partner) I gravitated toward food as a bonding tool. The chocolate-covered apple fritters from a local bakery are a culinary treat best shared with a team. The same was true for Grand Rapids Pizza Delivery (GRPD), which is famous for being the pizzeria that named its pizzas after cop shows. Pizza buffets quickly became a regular occurrence at my clinic.
In addition to culinary comradery, I implemented themed music based on the day of the week. Soulful blues would fill our clinic on Monday; Tuesday was dubbed 1992’s day; Western Wednesday followed; Throwback Thursday offered a dose of nostalgia. The week was then ushered away by casual Friday featuring Hawaiian shirts and current pop music. This routine kept things light, and the variety was refreshing.
So, what truly sustains a fun work culture?
After reflecting on my experiences and everything I can think of that built a positive work culture — the best and most influential thing I can recommend to fellow clinic directors is: Ensure you hire well.
This might not align with some expectations, but it's the undeniable truth my experience has led me to understand.
No level of lightheartedness can cheer up someone persistently downbeat. Endless pizza can't make up for the struggle of a top performer enduring a less dedicated colleague. Even the culinary excellence that is Ida’s fritters cannot reduce the friction caused by a bad hire.
Hiring can make or break an organization’s culture. The Talent Acquisition team at Alliance is truly exceptional, lending their expertise to the hiring process. The team at Alliance streamlines the hiring process through their hands-on approach. Participating in the screening and interviewing of candidates, ensuring the procedure is both efficient and effective.
When lacking the support of a partner like Alliance, my advice is to pay close attention to how your interviewees interact with your front office staff. Take note of their behavior when they're unaware of observation. When it comes to interviews, don't be afraid to ask challenging behavioral questions. For example, ask them to share a situation where they had difficulty getting along with a coworker. Or, inquire about an instance when they collaborated with someone whose background, experiences, or lifestyle differed from their own. Such probing questions make it hard for the candidate to hide who they are under a blanket of 'correct' responses.
The one easy, yet sometimes challenging step, is to hire truly exceptional individuals. Such people can foster enduring relationships. These relationships infuse the workday with a sense of fun and camaraderie that extends far beyond the lunch hour.