Updated May 2026
In an episode of Staffing Unplugged, we had the opportunity to discuss organizational culture with Rich Thompson, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Medical Solutions. During the conversation, Thompson shared his perspective on how strong team culture shapes performance, leadership, and retention in today’s healthcare staffing landscape.
Why is Team Culture the Foundation of Success?
A strong team culture helps shape how employees communicate, collaborate, and support one another every day. It influences leadership, morale, employee experience, and the overall work environment. All of which is central to an organization’s success.
“Culture is identity; it’s the personification of a company.”
Thompson explains that culture isn’t something built from occasional events or small, isolated initiatives. Instead, it’s an ongoing process that influences every aspect of the organization, from leadership communication to employee engagement and retention. Creating a positive workplace culture requires intentional effort and consistent reinforcement across leadership teams.
According to Thompson, leaders must actively shape it, as culture will develop independently if left unattended, often in ways that may not align with the organization’s goals. “Culture gets defined whether you actively define it or not,” he warned, urging leaders to take a proactive approach.
Staffing Leadership Best Practices for Building Culture
A strong healthcare team culture starts at the top. Thompson highlighted the importance of leadership modeling the behaviors and values they want to see throughout the organization. “Your actions speak so loudly I can’t hear a word that you say,” Thompson remarked, underscoring that consistency and authenticity are essential for leaders who wish to influence their teams positively.
Thompson shared a story from a healthcare setting where a CEO regularly worked side by side with staff on the floor. This gesture was more than just symbolic. It demonstrated visibility, accountability, and investment in the team’s day-to-day experience.
This example reflects several staffing leadership best practices organizations can apply today:
- Maintain visible leadership presence across teams
- Encourage open communication and employee feedback
- Recognize employee contributions consistently
- Reinforce organizational values through daily actions, not just messaging
Thompson explained that it’s not enough for leaders to talk about culture; they must live it, showing their teams that they are fully invested in building an environment where everyone can thrive.
How Does Team Culture Impact Healthcare Retention?
Employee retention remains one of the biggest challenges facing healthcare organizations today. Thompson pointed out that a strong team culture directly impacts retention because it fosters a stronger sense of connection and purpose among employees.
When employees feel connected to their work, leaders, and teams, they are more likely to remain engaged, perform at a higher level, and stay with the organization long term.
Thompson identified four key connection points that organizations should prioritize:
- The Employee’s Role
- Their Relationship with Their Boss or Leader
- Their Team
- The Company as a Whole
Strengthening these connections is one of the most effective workforce engagement strategies healthcare leaders can implement. Employees who feel valued and supported are more likely to remain committed.
“When people feel vested in, they feel valued, and that’s what keeps them from leaving almost all the time,” he said.
The Power of Intentional Culture
Throughout the episode, Thompson emphasized that building and maintaining a strong team culture is an ongoing and intentional process. Leaders must define, model, and protect the culture employees experience every day.
As Thompson put it, “Culture is everything. It’s the lens through which every employee views the company.” Organizations that prioritize culture are often better positioned to improve retention while creating an environment employees feel empowered to grow, contribute, and perform at their best.
To dive deeper into the conversation, watch the episode or contact Medical Solutions today.
