When companies achieve significant growth, a strong cultural foundation is key to the long-term success and sustainability of that scale.

My guest today, WoundCentrics COO Stuart Oertli, saw culture eroding after significant company growth. As WoundCentrics expanded, they also saw employee turnover rise to over 50%, and that churn was eating into energy and resources, negatively impacting the culture and morale of their teams.

Over the last few years, Stuart has focused on developing a strong company culture that will set the foundation for continued growth. He has found that while culture might seem like a soft skill, it is absolutely connected to and significantly impacts the bottom line.

Today, we’re talking about the systems he has put in place to improve communication throughout the company, gather better-quality feedback, and a surprising process from hospital settings that they’ve adapted across all their teams.

After receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch, Stuart Oertli spent ten years at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in progressive rehabilitation leadership roles. Upon completing his graduate degree in clinical practice management, he left the Texas Medical Center to experience a variety of acute and post-acute care leadership roles including Director of Rehabilitation at Blessing Hospital in affiliation with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, as a regional manager for HCR ManorCare, in rehabilitation leadership at St. David's HealthCare and as Executive Director of Post-Acute Services for Covenant Health. Stuart joined WoundCentrics in 2015 as Chief Operating Officer, leading expansion into 12 states, more than 100 facilities, and 400 employees, including 65 medical providers.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• The direct impacts of cultural problems on finances and operations
• How the Influencers Council has positively shifted decision-making and communication processes away from a top-down mentality
• Why turnover rate is a key metric of the success of cultural changes
• How town halls and specific training for more effective staff meetings have improved internal communications
• How “hospital rounds” have been adapted for all staff for check-ins, feedback, and recognition
• The impact on team members of receiving simple but personal thank yous from leadership
• The biggest trap for implementing cultural changes that a leader can fall into

Learn More About Stuart Oertli:

• WoundCentrics
• Connect on LinkedIn

Learn More About Heather Smith:

• Talent Elevated

Resources:

•  Sands Leadership Assessment for Values