Culture is Not a Workshop: How You Show Up Every Moment Matters Featuring Jennifer Raams, EP 187
Episode Overview
Jennifer Raams, coach with Practice Freedom U, joins Tracy to discuss the critical role of emotional intelligence (EQ) in healthcare practice management. This conversation explores how self-awareness, stress management, and intentional leadership create thriving practices where both providers and patients flourish.
Key Highlights
The Inner Game of Practice Management
Stressed practitioners create stressed practices - it shows up in patient interactions, team dynamics, and business performance
The importance of moving from reactive to responsive leadership through self-awareness
How clinical excellence skills can become business liabilities without proper emotional regulation
The Flourishing Zone Framework
Green zone: flourishing state where leaders show up intentionally
Red zone: defensive/attack mode that damages relationships and decision-making
Frozen zone: low energy state that leads to stagnation and burnout
Goal: Spend 80% of time in the green zone using practical tools and awareness
Leadership as Nervous System Regulation
Culture isn't built through workshops - it's created through how you show up moment by moment
The power of presence: being able to "read the room" and respond appropriately to team needs
Switching between clinical and business "hats" to maintain appropriate focus
Practical EQ Tools
Two key questions for fear-based thinking: "Where do I choose to put my attention?" and "Where do I have influence?"
The power of curiosity over defensiveness in difficult situations
Simple physical shifts (changing hands, standing/sitting) to interrupt triggered states
Memorable Quotes
"If you're not okay, your business is going to suffer, period."
"Culture is not a workshop - it's how you show up every single moment."
"The biggest stress contributor is when you feel you have no control and no influence."
"We only have this second. What am I choosing intentionally to do now about it?"
"When your people are flourishing, your business is thriving. There's no way around it."
"Every skill, every behavior is learned - it's a skill you can learn and also unlearn."
Key Takeaways
Start with self-awareness: Recognize your triggers, stress levels, and default responses before trying to manage others
Invest early in leadership development: Building culture, systems, and leadership teams takes time - don't wait until you're scaling
Focus on what you can control: When overwhelmed, return to the basics of where you put your attention and where you have influence
Make coaching a priority: Having a confidential sounding board accelerates growth and prevents costly mistakes
Think beyond the clinical hat: Practice owners must develop the ability to shift between provider and CEO mindsets
This episode emphasizes that sustainable practice success requires more than clinical expertise - it demands emotional intelligence, intentional leadership, and the courage to invest in personal development alongside business growth.
Bio:
Jennifer Raams is an entrepreneur and business coach who arrived in Hawaii with just a suitcase, a physical therapy diploma, and $2,000, ultimately building a thriving PT business that empowers leaders to scale with purpose. As a coach with Practice Freedom U, she specializes in leadership development, strategic growth, and succession planning. With 20 years of COO experience scaling a multi-clinic practice and leading high-performing teams, Jennifer helps practice owners gain clarity, confidence, and the tools to build thriving, sustainable businesses that leave a lasting impact.
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