Nisha Bunke, MD, FAVLS, RPhS, is the Medical Director and Founder of La Jolla Vein & Vascular.
You know what they say: “Teamwork makes the dream work.” As a disease interventionist and clinic medical director, I know just how important teamwork is to supporting health initiatives.
The catch? I’m having to juggle the demands of patient care, managing a business and leading a team. That’s the case for most entrepreneurs and leaders today: We’re expected to do it all.
But the truth is that we can’t do it all. It takes a village to keep a business running smoothly. Regardless of how full your plate is, it’s crucial for executive leaders to build a team environment. Not only does a solid team improve retention and work output, but it’s also essential to find some semblance of balance as a business owner.
Every business is different, but these are the steps I took to create a team-first culture:
1. Hire the best of the best.
If you want a quality team, you need quality people. That means hiring folks who are experienced and respected in their fields. In my industry, that means hiring Harvard-trained vascular interventional radiologists and Duke-trained vascular surgeons. Their expertise means my patients get best-in-class care, which is a must in my line of work.
Hiring seasoned professionals also means my team knows what’s expected of them and how to hit the ground running with minimal direction. That frees me up to focus on patients and gives employees the autonomy they need to do excellent work.
2. Support your team.
I love a Friday pizza party, but is that really the best way to support our employees? If you survey your team right now, I guarantee they’ll ask for higher pay, better benefits, flexible work arrangements or more experienced management. If we want employees to be team players, we must invest in them first.
That means creating a culture that takes care of its own. For example, if you instituted a hiring freeze and put more work on staff’s plates for zero added compensation, that will destroy morale. Conversely, the more employees feel supported, the more likely they are to go the extra mile for you and the people your business serves. If you aren’t sure what they want, ask.
3. Invest in team building.
Sure, people roll their eyes at team-building activities or ice breakers, but these exercises serve a purpose. Encouraging the team to spend time together fosters healthy interpersonal relationships that spill over into work. The more familiar employees are with each other in a low-stakes environment like lunch, the better they’ll work together during stressful times in the office.
You don’t have to force employees to participate in mandatory karaoke parties, either. Team-building activities should be fun and engaging. Ask employees what activities they would be interested in if you aren’t sure where to start. Company-funded lunches, escape rooms or chair yoga are accessible options.
4. Let employees celebrate each other.
Celebrations are a fun way to bring your team together. But I’m talking about more than monthly birthday celebrations. Implement a kudos system where employees can pat each other on the back for a job well done. In my business, that would look like going the extra mile for a patient or staying late to help a coworker.
Digital kudos systems foster a sense of unity and give employees a fun way to connect. You can make the system even more fun by offering gift cards or prizes for employees with the most kudos.
If a rewards system sounds like too much to implement, simplify things with employee shout-outs. Reserve five minutes during your weekly all-hands meetings for employees to acknowledge all-star performers. The key is that this should come from other employees, not the managers. Managers should still honor employees’ hard work, but peer celebrations are the key to fostering stronger teamwork.
5. Move from ‘me’ to ‘we.’
As a business owner, I often feel pressured to do it all. Fortunately, we don’t have to do it alone. Building a strong team supports a strong business and helps everyone do a great job—leaders included. I’ve seen firsthand how investing in the right people, supporting them and creating opportunities for connection can transform the workplace into a collaborative, patient-centered culture.
The steps I’ve taken to foster a team-first culture have been key to our success. Every business is different, but no matter what, I believe prioritizing your team helps create a foundation that allows everyone to thrive. Remember, teamwork truly makes the dream work, and as leaders, it’s our role to cultivate an environment where everyone can do their best.
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