EP. 138: How Healthcare Leaders Build a Healthy Work Culture That Lasts

A healthy workforce does not happen by accident. It is built through honest conversations, shared ownership, and consistent action.

In this solo episode of Coffee Break, Dr. Renee Thompson reflects on key questions leaders asked during her sessions at the AONL conference, where she presented on eradicating bullying and incivility in healthcare. She breaks down what to do when the problem is an executive, why peer-to-peer accountability matters, and how leaders can investigate culture concerns without undermining department managers. Renee also shares practical ways to engage physicians and HR in culture work, emphasizing that both groups need to be invited early and consistently. She closes with a powerful example from Inova Health System, where one department transformed its culture by weaving healthy workforce practices into every huddle, meeting, and daily interaction.

Tune in and learn how to move culture work from a one-time initiative to a sustained way of leading.

About Dr. Renee Thompson:

Dr. Renee Thompson is a leading authority on creating healthy work cultures by eliminating bullying and incivility in healthcare. With more than 31 years of experience as a clinical nurse, educator, quality manager, and executive leader, she has become one of the most sought-after experts on workplace culture. As CEO and Founder of the Healthy Workforce Institute, Renee works with healthcare organizations worldwide to equip leaders with the tools they need to cultivate professional, respectful, and supportive teams.

Renee is a published author, award-winning speaker, and one of only 30 nurses worldwide to earn the Certified Speaking Professional designation. She also serves on The Joint Commission’s Workplace Violence Technical Advisory Panel and has been recognized globally for her thought leadership and advocacy.

What You’ll Learn In This Episode:

The best person to confront disruptive behavior is often a peer with an existing relationship.

Leaders can unintentionally undermine managers when they bypass them to gather staff complaints.

Physician engagement in culture work usually starts small and grows through consistency.

HR should be treated as a proactive partner, not just a last stop for discipline.

Sustainable culture change must be embedded into daily routines, not treated as extra work.

Consistency is one of the most important drivers of a healthy workforce.

Links & Resources:

Connect with and follow Dr. Renee Thompson on LinkedIn.

Learn more about the Healthy Workforce Institute on their LinkedIn and website.

Learn more about the Framework here!

Check out The 6 C’s: A Framework for Finding the Right Team Fit here!

Learn the 33 Scripts to Address Disruptive Behavior here!

Buy Renee Thompson’s book Enough! Eradicating Bullying & Incivility here!

Grab a copy of Renee Thompson’s book Do No Harm Applies to Nurses Too! here.

Learn more about the Eradicating Bullying & Incivility eLearning Program here!

Have a question for Renee?

Email us at wecare@healthyworkforceinstitute.com to have your leadership question featured in an upcoming Q&A episode!

Disclosure: The host may be compensated for linking to other sites or for sales of products we link to. As an Amazon Associate, Coffee Break earns from qualifying purchases.

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