Stop Playing Cleanup: How to Build a Team That Actually Takes Ownership
In this episode of The Culture Focused Practice Podcast, I’m breaking down a leadership trap that too many group practice owners fall into—constantly playing cleanup. If you’re stuck micromanaging, fixing mistakes, and generally feeling like the only adult in the room, this one's for you.
We’ll talk about why you keep falling into this cycle (spoiler: helper tendencies, unclear expectations, and a fear of being “too harsh” are big culprits). Then, I’ll walk you through the mindset shifts that help you stop playing cleanup and start building a culture where your team actually owns their work. Plus, I’ll break down the four key ingredients to making it happen:
- Setting clear expectations
- Holding people accountable (without being a dictator)
- Empowering decision-making
- Creating solid feedback loops
If you’re ready to step out of cleanup mode and into actual leadership, this episode is a must-listen.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 – Intro: Why Cleanup Mode is a Leadership Nightmare
01:24 – The Root of the Problem (and Why It’s So Common)
02:44 – The Three Big Fixes You Need to Make
03:17 – Why Leaders Get Stuck in Cleanup Mode
08:27 – Mindset Shifts That Help You Let Go
12:58 – How to Build a True Culture of Ownership
24:23 – Recap & Takeaways
27:22 – Ready to Build a Team That Actually Steps Up? Join the Culture Focused Practice Membership
00:00 – Intro: Why Cleanup Mode is a Leadership Nightmare
01:24 – The Root of the Problem (and Why It’s So Common)
02:44 – The Three Big Fixes You Need to Make
03:17 – Why Leaders Get Stuck in Cleanup Mode
08:27 – Mindset Shifts That Help You Let Go
12:58 – How to Build a True Culture of Ownership
24:23 – Recap & Takeaways
27:22 – Ready to Build a Team That Actually Steps Up? Join the Culture Focused Practice Membership
