We talk a lot about productivity killers— ineffective scheduling, stealing ownership from patients, poor team communication and constant distractions—but there’s one culprit that rarely makes the list: bad apologies (or worse, none at all).
Here’s the issue: we rarely address it head-on. We’re so focused on patient care and boosting productivity that we overlook the consequences of unresolved tensions. Instead of tackling cultural problems, we sweep them under the rug, pretending they’re not there - all in an effort to avoid having a grown-up conversation! This leads to a breakdown in trust and accountability, and unhealed wounds fester among team members, making it harder to rebuild relationships. The frustration simmers quietly until, eventually, it erupts and causes chaos. The sooner we accept that conflict is an essential part of growth and trust-building, the better equipped we’ll be to prevent toxicity from undermining team culture and stalling productivity.