The ‘Energy Audit’ - Why Some Team Members Are Dragging the Whole Practice Down (Part 2/3)
In this episode of the Culture Focused Practice Podcast, we’re diving into energy audits - aka, how to figure out who’s subtly (or not-so-subtly) dragging your team down. This is Part 2 of our "The Culture Isn't Really What You Think" series, where we’re busting myths about team culture and getting real about what actually makes (or breaks) a strong practice.
Here’s the deal: negativity spreads - and most of the time, you don’t even notice it happening. We’re talking about chronic complainers, silent resistors, passive-aggressive peacemakers, overburdened stars, and those sneaky unspoken leaders who might be steering your team in the wrong direction. In this episode, I’ll break down how to spot these energy drains, assess their impact, and actually do something about it before they tank your practice culture.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why the real culture problems are usually the sneaky, slow leaks—not the big explosions.
- How to assess team energy with structured energy audits (and why you need them).
- The five types of energy-draining team members (bet you’ve worked with at least one of these).
- How unchecked negativity spreads—and how to cut it off at the source.
- The three-step approach to dealing with energy drains: Assess, Address, Coach (or Cut).
- Why consistent energy checks are non-negotiable if you want a thriving team.
⏳ Time Stamps for Easy Skimming:
00:00 – Welcome to the Culture Focused Practice Podcast!
01:18 – Not all culture issues are obvious (and why that’s a problem).
03:44 – WTF is an energy audit and why does your practice need one?
07:11 – The real energy-drainers: Chronic complainers, silent resistors, and more.
14:38 – How to actually address energy drains without losing your mind.
21:22 – The three-tiered impact assessment: Occasional, chronic, or toxic?
22:00 – Why you need to talk to people directly (instead of silently seething).
22:39 – How to handle chronic issues: Tough love + real conversations.
24:05 – The no-BS approach to toxic behavior: Boundaries, consequences, and action.
25:03 – Shape up or ship out: Coaching vs. letting go.
29:24 – The only way to keep your team’s energy in check long-term.
32:07 – Why you need to follow up (and how to actually get useful feedback).
34:39 – Quick recap: What to do next.
35:47 – 🎉 Want to fix your practice culture? Join the Culture Focused Practice Membership!
01:18 – Not all culture issues are obvious (and why that’s a problem).
03:44 – WTF is an energy audit and why does your practice need one?
07:11 – The real energy-drainers: Chronic complainers, silent resistors, and more.
14:38 – How to actually address energy drains without losing your mind.
21:22 – The three-tiered impact assessment: Occasional, chronic, or toxic?
22:00 – Why you need to talk to people directly (instead of silently seething).
22:39 – How to handle chronic issues: Tough love + real conversations.
24:05 – The no-BS approach to toxic behavior: Boundaries, consequences, and action.
25:03 – Shape up or ship out: Coaching vs. letting go.
29:24 – The only way to keep your team’s energy in check long-term.
32:07 – Why you need to follow up (and how to actually get useful feedback).
34:39 – Quick recap: What to do next.
35:47 – 🎉 Want to fix your practice culture? Join the Culture Focused Practice Membership!
📢 Next Steps: Join the Membership & Fix This for Good
If your team feels off, but you can’t quite put your finger on why, join me inside the Culture Focused Practice Membership. You get me live twice a month (one Q&A + one training), a private Facebook group, and a library of past trainings and resources to help you actually build a strong, sustainable team culture.
🔥 Next training: Deep dive into Energy Audits (so you can fix this ASAP).
👉 Join now at www.taravossenkemper.com/culture-focused-practice
Also - hit that subscribe button so you don’t miss the final episode in this series, where we’re talking about Culture-Driven Leadership: What Great Leaders Do Differently. See ya there! 🎙️
