Staying In The Fire: How To Handle Conflict Without Shutting Down Or Blowing Up Culture Focused Practice podcast

24:40

In this special Owner’s Room episode of the Culture Focused Practice podcast, Dr. Tara Vossenkemper cracks open the weird liminal space where everything in your business is running smoothly—and you still feel off. You’ve implemented EOS. Your team’s solid. Systems are humming. And yet… the spark? Nowhere to be found. Tara riffs candidly on her own experience navigating the emotional terrain of clarity without momentum, what it means when you’re craving something new even though nothing is “wrong,” and why feeling stuck doesn’t necessarily mean something’s broken. She explores the difference between clarity and certainty, how momentum plays into leadership identity, and what to do when you’re tempted to blow it all up just for the sake of feeling something again. This one’s for the builders, the founders, the visionaries who hit the lull after the launch. You’re not alone, and this episode is your permission slip to name what’s happening out loud. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to the Culture Focused Practice Podcast 00:10 Understanding the Owner's Room Special 01:06 The Concept of Clarity and Feeling Stuck 02:11 Exploring Personal Clarity 04:44 Challenges of Clarity in Business Ownership 09:04 Relationship with Momentum 11:24 Self-Sabotage and Well-Oiled Systems 13:46 Clarity vs. Certainty 17:00 Scenario Discussion: Feeling Restless Despite Success 23:54 Conclusion and Membership Invitation Ready for a space that supports your next season of leadership? Join Inside the Living Practice —a community and resource hub for practice owners who are building culture-forward, values-aligned businesses. Monthly trainings, Q&As, tools, and the real conversations in between: www.taravossenkemper.com/the-membership…

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Real Problems, Real Tools: How to Stop Spinning in Place 30:42

4 days ago30:42

30:42

Ever feel like your practice has déjà vu on loop? Like you're solving the same problem... again... for the third quarter in a row? You're not imagining it — you're stuck in what I call “chronic problem recycling.” And spoiler: insight alone isn’t gonna fix it. In this episode, I’m breaking down exactly why you’re spinning in circles and how EOS gives you real-deal traction — not just another brainstorm session with zero follow-through. We’re talking tools, not theory: the Issues List, Scorecard, and Accountability Chart. I walk through each one with real examples from practice leadership life and show you how these containers for chaos help create rhythm, structure, and actual momentum. This one’s for the practice owners, leaders, and ops-minded folks who are ready to stop patching and start building systems that hold. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:39 Identifying the Problem: Repeat Cycles 01:35 Agenda Breakdown 01:49 The Illusion of Progress vs. Actual Traction 03:45 Understanding Chronic Problem Recycling 08:22 The Conceptual Shift: Problems Need Containers 11:20 EOS Tools: Containers for Chaos 16:12 Tool Walkthroughs with Real-Life Examples 30:06 Final Thoughts and Mastermind Invitation Want to go deeper and build these tools into your actual practice? Join the EOS Mastermind Waitlist: www.taravossenkemper.com/eos-mastermind — a 6-month experience for group practice leaders ready to step into sustainable structure (without losing their mind or soul in the process).…

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The Owner's Room - When You're Leading (and Non One's Listening) 24:53

9 days ago24:53

24:53

This one’s for the leaders who’ve said the same thing five times (kindly, clearly, calmly) and are now screaming into the void. You’re not crazy — and no, you don’t suck at leadership. But something is definitely off. In this Owner’s Room episode, Dr. Tara Vossenkemper riffs on the soul-sucking dynamic of doing your damn best to lead…and watching nothing change. She dives deep into accountability fatigue, over-functioning out of perfectionism, and how supportive leadership can quietly morph into enabling (#Yikes.) This episode breaks down how to recover when team follow-through flops, how EOS structure can actually help you stop micromanaging, and why you're not wrong for wanting people to just do the thing . It’s a little philosophy, a little strategy, and a lot of truth. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:55 Understanding the Owner's Room 01:26 Dealing with Unresponsive Teams 04:53 Supportive Leadership vs. Enabling 09:16 Emotional Recovery from Team Failures 11:57 Over-Functioning to Avoid Conflict 15:15 Responsibility and Clarity in Leadership 17:33 Scenario: The Team That Nods and Does Nothing 24:08 Conclusion and Mastermind Invitation Ready to stop repeating yourself and actually lead with clarity, structure, and sanity? Join the EOS Mastermind waitlist: www.taravossenkemper.com/eos-mastermind…

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Structure ≠ Control: How to Use EOS Without Becoming a Micromanaging Nightmare 19:07

10 days ago19:07

19:07

Structure doesn’t have to mean micromanagement, rigidity, or soul-sucking spreadsheets. In this episode of the Culture Focused Practice podcast, Dr. Tara Vossenkemper unpacks how EOS (the Entrepreneurial Operating System) actually creates freedom, not constraint, when it’s done well. We’re busting myths about “structure = control,” walking through the difference between therapist brain and leadership brain, and showing how clarity and consistency make space for trust, autonomy, and real-deal psychological safety. If you’re tired of repeating yourself, reacting to every fire, or feeling like the office toilet for everyone’s emotional sh*t — this one’s for you. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to the Culture Focused Practice Podcast 00:10 The Importance of Structure in Leadership 01:24 Subscribe and Stay Updated 01:45 Episode Agenda Overview 02:16 Why Structure Gets a Bad Rep 02:29 Therapist Brain vs. Leadership Brain 06:15 The EOS Lens: Structure as Containment, Not Control 09:54 The Real Cost of Chaos and the Myth of Being Chill 13:25 Freedom Through Consistency 16:15 Permission to Lead 18:35 Conclusion and Call to Action ⚡️ If you’re ready to lead with more structure and more ease, the EOS Mastermind waitlist is officially open. Go to www.taravossenkemper.com/eos-mastermind to snag your spot. Waitlisters get first dibs when the next round opens soon.…

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Feedback that Works: How EOS Creates Safe, Structure Conversations 25:42

11 days ago25:42

25:42

Let’s be real—giving feedback shouldn't feel like walking into a firing squad or hosting a damn hug circle. (Though, for the record, I am pro hug circle.) In this episode, I unpack why feedback feels so freaking hard for most leaders—and how EOS makes it easier, cleaner, and way less soul-sucking. We dive into the real emotional fallout of unclear expectations, what happens when you confuse familiarity with clarity (yes, I'm looking at your veteran team member who should know better), and how to anchor in your values without weaponizing them. If you’re tired of repeating yourself, avoiding the hard convos, or wondering why your team isn’t getting the message, this episode is your playbook for doing it better. Not perfectly. Just way, way better. We’re using the EOS lens here—think structured convos, scorecards, GWC, and quarterly rhythms—all in service of actual safety and honest dialogue. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Overview 01:46 Why Feedback Fails 05:52 The EOS Lens on Feedback 13:25 Assumptions and Clarity 15:51 Anchoring in Values 19:37 Leading Through Feedback 24:52 Conclusion and Call to Action ✨ Want to actually build a feedback system that works? Join the waitlist for my EOS Mastermind , kicking off again very soon. We cover all of this and more, and you'll walk away with real tools, not just good intentions: www.taravossenkemper.com/eos-mastermind…

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The Owner's Room - When You're Outgrowing the Things You Built (But Don't Know What Comes Next) 31:47

23 days ago31:47

31:47

In this Owner’s Room episode of the Culture Focused Practice Podcast, Dr. Tara Vossenkemper gets honest about what it feels like to outgrow the very thing you built. When your practice is stable—team’s solid, systems are flowing, fires are out—but something inside you feels off... this one's for you. Tara explores the identity shift that happens when your leadership evolves, the weird guilt around handing off financial control, and the tension between staying put and pursuing fulfillment. She unpacks her own internal tug-of-war (big girl Tara vs. shame-fueled small part), shares reflections on how she handles change, and ends with a real-world scenario of what to do when your long-time team member no longer fits. If you’re stuck in the “it’s fine, but I’m not lit up anymore” limbo, you are so not alone. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:09 Understanding the Owner's Room 00:40 When Your Practice No Longer Feels Like Yours 01:12 Silent Signs of Outgrowing Your Creation 02:46 Reflecting on Personal Growth and Leadership 09:14 Financial Shame and Identity 12:17 The Pursuit of Fulfillment 15:18 Navigating the Liminal Space 17:55 Stepping Back and Its Implications 19:49 Hypothetical Creations and Staying On Brand 24:00 Scenario: The Old Faithful That Doesn't Fit Anymore 31:19 Conclusion and Farewell → If you’re ready to get clear, build structure, and breathe again inside your leadership, join the EOS Mastermind waitlist at www.taravossenkemper.com/eos-mastermind…

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Your Team Isn't Lazy - They're Just Foggy. The Real Cost of Half-Clarity 29:19

25 days ago29:19

29:19

In this episode of the Culture Focused Practice Podcast , Dr. Tara Vossenkemper calls BS on the myth of the “lazy team.” What looks like laziness is usually fog — unclear expectations, half-baked communication, and leadership gaps that leave your team flailing. Tara unpacks why clarity is everything when it comes to performance, engagement, and accountability, and how EOS gives you the structure to lead without babysitting. From role confusion to mushy priorities and undocumented decisions, she breaks down the hidden cost of “half clarity” and offers tools for building a culture that actually runs itself (without you being in every detail). Spoiler alert: structure is freedom — if you do it right. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:11 Understanding the Perception of Laziness 00:36 The Real Cost of Half Clarity 01:10 Assumptions and Clarity in Leadership 01:22 Using EOS Tools for Direction 01:40 Call to Action and Subscription Reminder 02:06 Agenda Breakdown 02:38 Lazy is the Symptom, Fog is the Root 07:35 Where Half Clarity Sneaks In 13:22 What Real Clarity Sounds Like 16:09 How to Reset Without Micromanaging 24:37 Building a Culture of Clarity Long Term 28:28 Conclusion and Mastermind Invitation 👉 Ready to ditch the fog and lead with clarity? Join the waitlist for the EOS Mastermind now at www.taravossenkemper.com/eos-mastermind…

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The Owner's Room: When the Systems Are Solid but the Pressure to Grow Won't Quit 24:45

about a year ago24:45

24:45

In this Owner’s Room episode of the Culture Focused Practice Podcast, Dr. Tara Vossenkemper unpacks a very specific kind of leadership tension—the pressure to grow when everything already feels solid. If your systems are tight, your team is aligned, and things should be good… but you still feel a pull to do more, this one’s for you. Tara explores the difference between meaningful growth and forced expansion, reflecting on her own creative drive, internal expectations, and the challenge of shifting into new directions like consulting. She also addresses the emotional weight of leadership when profit, sustainability, and long-term vision start to collide. Tune in for candid stories, practical insight, and permission to redefine what growth really means. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to the Culture Focused Practice Podcast 00:36 Understanding Leadership Tension in Group Practices 02:06 Personal Expectations and Internal Drive 05:21 Challenges of Shifting Focus and Creative Expression 08:06 Balancing Excitement and Compulsory Growth 13:41 Financial Realities and Growth Urgency 18:02 Healthy vs. Forced Growth 20:49 Intentional Growth and Maintaining Integrity 23:28 Conclusion and Mastermind Invitation 👉 Want to explore this kind of meaningful growth inside a structure that actually supports it? Join the EOS Mastermind waitlist now at www.taravossenkemper.com — doors close June 2nd.…

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Inside the EOS Toolbox: The Six Key Components of a Thriving Practice 25:09

about a year ago25:09

25:09

If you’re tired of flying by the seat of your pants in leadership (and wondering why everything still falls on you), this episode is your big-ass permission slip to structure the hell out of your practice. I’m walking through the six core components of EOS (that’s the Entrepreneurial Operating System, developed by Gino Wickman), and how they create a seriously solid foundation for running a thriving, sustainable group practice. Spoiler alert: this isn’t just about being more organized. It’s about getting your freedom back and not having to clean up everyone’s messes 24/7. We’re hitting Vision, People, Data, Issues, Process, and Traction — and I’m sharing the go-to tool for each. This one’s for those of you who are exhausted by doing everything and are finally ready to lead like a damn CEO. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:13 Unpacking the EOS Toolbox 01:23 The Six Key Components of EOS 02:37 Vision: Charting the Course 06:24 People: Right People, Right Seats 09:09 Data: The Importance of Numbers 13:41 Issues: Solving Problems Proactively 19:10 Process: Documenting Core Procedures 22:10 Traction: Consistent Execution 23:49 Conclusion and Next Steps 👉 Ready to stop duct-taping your practice together? Get on the EOS Mastermind waitlist before doors close June 2: www.taravossenkemper.com (click on EOS Mastermind under “Work With Me”).…

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Chaos is Not A Culture Strategy: Why EOS Changes Everything 21:31

about a year ago21:31

21:31

In this episode of the Culture Focused Practice podcast, Dr. Tara Vossenkemper tackles the reality that chaos isn't leadership—and it definitely isn't a culture strategy. She introduces the EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) framework as a game-changing solution for group practices stuck in survival mode.Dr. Tara shares personal stories, hard-won lessons, and a roadmap for moving from chaotic reaction to sustainable, scalable leadership. This episode covers why chaos undermines leadership, the critical difference between culture by default vs. culture by design, how EOS provides a structural blueprint, how to recognize when you’re the one fueling chaos, and why slowing down strategically lets you move faster in the long run. If you’re ready to step out of reactive chaos and into proactive leadership, this one's for you. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:12 Understanding Chaos in Practice 00:40 EOS Foundations for Group Practices 01:26 Chaos in Hiring and Beyond 01:54 Agenda Overview 02:43 Chaos is Not Leadership 05:27 Culture by Default or Design 07:41 EOS as a Blueprint 12:11 Seeing Yourself in the Chaos 17:59 The Big Reframe: Slowing Down to Speed Up 20:22 Conclusion and EOS Mastermind Ready to break free from the chaos? Get on the waitlist for the EOS Mastermind at www.taravossenkemper.com – hover over "Work With Me" and click on EOS Mastermind. Doors are opening soon!…

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The Owner's Room: When Good Candidates Just Don't Show Up (And You're Starting to Panic) 27:30

about a year ago27:30

27:30

Welcome to The Owner’s Room , a new kind of episode inside the Culture Focused Practice podcast where Dr. Tara Vossenkemper ditches the lists, outlines, and expert takes—and instead just shows up, owner to owner, to talk about what’s really going on. This one’s for anyone who’s been staring at an empty applicant pool, second-guessing their entire hiring funnel, and wondering how to lead when there are zero good options on the table. Tara gets real about how it feels to carry that weight, how high standards get tested in moments of burnout and desperation, and why structure helps even when doubt creeps in. It’s not polished. It’s not prescriptive. But it’s real—and sometimes that’s what we need most. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to The Owner's Room 00:19 The Hiring Dilemma: When Good Candidates Don't Show Up 02:28 Navigating Leadership Challenges 08:25 Maintaining High Standards Amid Burnout 19:46 Dealing with Self-Doubt and Process Doubt 25:10 Concluding Thoughts and Call to Action Resources + CTAs: 👉 Feeling like you need a sounding board (and a strategy)? Come join the Culture Focused Practice Membership . We’re talking hiring funnels, retention, culture, and how to lead without burning out. 💥 Want to EOS your group practice? Jump on the EOS Mastermind waitlist or check out the free EOS Collective Facebook Group . You don’t have to figure this out alone.…

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From Application to Orientation: What a Well-Oiled Funnel Actually Looks Like 22:58

about a year ago22:58

22:58

In this episode of the Culture Focused Practice podcast, Dr. Tara Vossenkemper walks through what a strong hiring funnel really looks like—from the moment someone clicks “apply” all the way through orientation and onboarding. She breaks down why clear values and role alignment are non-negotiables at every step, how to craft strategic application questions, run intentional phone screens, and lead interviews that actually reflect your expectations. You’ll also hear how to structure your offer and orientation process (and why ghosting your systems post-offer is a mistake), plus key metrics to track and ways to keep evolving your funnel over time. This is a high-level look at what a system with integrity actually sounds like in practice. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:13 Understanding the Hiring Funnel 00:52 Agenda Breakdown 01:49 The Anatomy of a Successful Hiring Funnel 05:00 Application Phase 07:15 Phone Screen Phase 09:37 Interview Stage 12:20 Offer and Orientation 16:07 Continuous Improvement and Action Steps 21:47 Conclusion and Membership Invitation 👉 If your hiring process feels chaotic or like you're constantly starting from scratch, there’s a better way. Join the Culture Focused Practice Membership for training, templates, and real-world support to help you build (or refine) a hiring funnel that actually works. And if you're ready to go deeper with structure and systems, hop on the EOS Mastermind waitlist and join the free EOS Collective Facebook group to connect with like-minded group practice leaders.…

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How Your Hiring Funnel is Silently Screwing You 19:38

about a year ago19:38

19:38

In this episode of the Culture Focused Practice podcast, Dr. Tara Vossenkemper breaks down why your hiring funnel might be quietly working against you (and what to do about it). This is the first episode in The Hiring Gauntlet mini-series, where we unpack the messy reality of finding (and keeping) the right people. Tara challenges the myth of the “bad hire” and makes the case that most hiring issues aren’t about people—they’re about broken or nonexistent systems. From the hidden costs of reactive hiring to the leadership burnout it fuels, this episode lays out how a well-oiled funnel can transform your hiring experience. You’ll also hear how EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) fits into the picture, and why it’s a game-changer for practices trying to grow without falling apart. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to the Culture Focused Practice Podcast 00:09 The Hiring Gauntlet Miniseries Overview 01:02 Agenda Breakdown 01:52 The Myth of the Bad Hire 03:44 Proactive vs. Reactive Hiring 06:51 Understanding and Fixing Broken Funnels 11:46 Hidden Costs of a Poor Hiring Funnel 13:37 The Importance of EOS in Hiring 15:29 Action Steps for Improving Your Hiring Funnel 18:12 Conclusion and Membership Invitation 👉 If your hiring process feels more like duct tape and crossed fingers than a legit system, it's time to get serious. Join the Culture Focused Practice Membership for training, tools, and templates to fix your funnel without starting from scratch. Or hop on the EOS Mastermind waitlist and join the free EOS Collective Facebook group to get support from other group practice owners doing this work.…

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Culture Lab - Conflict or Misalignment: How to Diagnose the Real Issue 18:24

about a year ago18:24

18:24

Not every workplace issue is true conflict—and assuming it is can lead you down the wrong road. In this Culture Lab episode, we unpack the real culprits behind tension: things like unclear expectations, role confusion, and low-clarity systems that create endless blame loops. You’ll get a simple but powerful 3-part tool—Clarity, Capacity, Compatibility—to help you diagnose what’s actually going on before jumping into the deep end of a hard conversation. We walk through real examples, look beneath the surface of frustrating behavior, and talk about how culture fit shows up in all the wrong (and right) ways. Timestamps 00:00 Understanding Conflict: Not Everything is What it Seems 00:26 The Impact of Low Clarity Systems 00:52 Introducing the Three-Part Diagnostic Tool 00:59 Diving Deeper into Capacity 02:09 Applying the Diagnostic Tool in Real Situations 02:33 Final Thoughts and Encouragement 🎯 Ready to use the 3 Cs inside your own practice? Join the Culture Focused Practice Membership to go deeper into conversations that actually change your team dynamics. You can also hop on the EOS Mastermind waitlist or join the free EOS Collective for Group Practices Facebook group. Let’s fix the real problems, not just the loud ones.…

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Staying in the Fire: How to Handle Conflict Without Shutting Down or Blowing Up 25:05

about a year ago25:05