Culture Change RX

Capstone Leadership Solutions

Embark on a journey to the heart of healthcare, where we dissect the driving force behind every thriving organization: its culture. Drawing on her executive background and extensive work as a strategic coach, Capstone’s co-founder Sue Tetzlaff and guests will share actionable insights and practical steps for successfully navigating the people side of the business of healthcare. Join weekly to be equipped and inspired to uplevel the culture and unlock the next level of potential in your healthcare organization.

  1. Culture Bytes: We’ve Always Done It That Way

    3D AGO

    Culture Bytes: We’ve Always Done It That Way

    Send us a Message In this episode of Culture Change RX, Sue Tetzlaff, cofounder of Capstone Leadership Solutions, discusses the prevalent belief in healthcare that working harder leads to better results. She challenges this notion, emphasizing that sustainable success comes from changing how work is done rather than increasing effort. Sue highlights the importance of understanding what needs to be done differently, fostering competency and consistency in new practices, and the role of systems in facilitating transformation. She also addresses the often need for external support in learning how to implement changes effectively and warns against starting from scratch or reinventing the wheel when seeking improvement. Key Takeaways The belief that working harder leads to better results is flawed.Sustainable success comes from changing how we work, not how much we work.Better engagement and outcomes require different leadership behaviors.Competency and consistency in new practices is essential for changes in results.External support can significantly aid in the success and speed of organizational transformation.Avoid starting from a blank slate; use proven systems as a foundation for the new way of working. If you are exploring ways to strengthen execution systems and leadership infrastructure, you can learn more about scheduling a complimentary systems discovery conversation here: CapstoneLeadership.net/Contact-Us We’re stepping forward in a bigger way—growing our team of rural healthcare experts, growing our capabilities by adding a strategic planning division … all of this so we can expand our ability to help even more rural hospitals and other small healthcare organizations in 2026. … We’d love to explore how we can support your organization in being the provider- and employer-of-choice so you can keep care local and margins strong! Learn more at CaptoneLeadership.net Hi! I’m Sue Tetzlaff. I’m a culture and execution strategist for small and rural healthcare organizations - helping them to be the provider and employer-of-choice so they can keep care local and margins strong. For decades, I’ve worked with healthcare organizations to navigate the people-side of healthcare, the part that can make or break your results. What I’ve learned is this: culture is not a soft thing. It’s the hardest thing, and it determines everything. When you’re ready to take your culture to the next level, here are three ways I can help you: 1. Listen to the Culture Change RX Podcast Every week, I share conversations with leaders who are transforming healthcare workplaces and strategies for keeping teams engaged, patients loyal, and margins healthy. 2. Subscribe to our Email Newsletter Get practical tips, frameworks, and leadership tools delivered right to your inbox—plus exclusive content you won’t find on the podcast. 📩 Subscribe here 3. Break through to the next level of greatness in your organization with help from my team and me. When you’re ready to be the provider and employer-of-choice, we’ll help you implement proven frameworks that strengthen culture, improve experience and ensure your organization thrives. You can email me at info@capstoneleadership.net and put “BREAKTHROUGH” in the subject line and I’ll get you all the details.

    22 min
  2. From Initiative to Identity: When Transformation Changes the Leader (Heather Schragg)

    FEB 11

    From Initiative to Identity: When Transformation Changes the Leader (Heather Schragg)

    Send us a Message In this episode of Culture Change RX, Sue Tetzlaff, cofounder of Capstone Leadership Solutions, converses with Heather Schragg, the Director of Quality and Risk Management at Eaton Rapids Medical Center (Michigan). They discuss Heather's personal and professional transformation over the past 13 years, particularly through the implementation of their organization’s 212 Degree Initiative. The conversation explores the importance of communication, employee engagement, and the impact of gratitude. Heather shares insights on navigating change post-COVID, the evolution of leadership roles, and the significance of continuous improvement. The 212 Degree Initiative has transformed both personal and professional aspects of leadership.Engaging employees in the journey is crucial for success.Communication is key to improving patient experience and satisfaction.Gratitude and appreciation can significantly enhance workplace culture.Sustaining initiatives requires continuous effort and adaptation.Celebrating small wins fosters motivation and engagement.Data-driven decision-making is essential. Referenced in this episode: Connect with Heather Schragg on LinkedInLearn more about Eaton Rapids Medical CenterResource referenced in the episode – 212 DegreesJoin Fans of the Framework (Capstone’s pr We’re stepping forward in a bigger way—growing our team of rural healthcare experts, growing our capabilities by adding a strategic planning division … all of this so we can expand our ability to help even more rural hospitals and other small healthcare organizations in 2026. … We’d love to explore how we can support your organization in being the provider- and employer-of-choice so you can keep care local and margins strong! Learn more at CaptoneLeadership.net Learn more and register for the 2026 Healthcare Executive Forum - We look forward to seeing you on June 17-18 in Madison, Wisconsin! Hi! I’m Sue Tetzlaff. I’m a culture and execution strategist for small and rural healthcare organizations - helping them to be the provider and employer-of-choice so they can keep care local and margins strong. For decades, I’ve worked with healthcare organizations to navigate the people-side of healthcare, the part that can make or break your results. What I’ve learned is this: culture is not a soft thing. It’s the hardest thing, and it determines everything. When you’re ready to take your culture to the next level, here are three ways I can help you: 1. Listen to the Culture Change RX Podcast Every week, I share conversations with leaders who are transforming healthcare workplaces and strategies for keeping teams engaged, patients loyal, and margins healthy. 2. Subscribe to our Email Newsletter Get practical tips, frameworks, and leadership tools delivered right to your inbox—plus exclusive content you won’t find on the podcast. 📩 Subscribe here 3. Break through to the next level of greatness in your organization with help from my team and me. When you’re ready to be the provider and employer-of-choice, we’ll help you implement proven frameworks that strengthen culture, improve experience and ensure your organization thrives. You can email me at info@capstoneleadership.net and put “BREAKTHROUGH” in the subject line and I’ll get you all the details.

    35 min
  3. Culture Bytes: Season 3: Culture, Care, and Community

    FEB 4

    Culture Bytes: Season 3: Culture, Care, and Community

    Send us a Message In this episode of Culture Change RX, Sue Tetzlaff, cofounder of Capstone Leadership Solutions, kicks off Season 3 by reflecting on the podcast's journey and the mission of Capstone Leadership Solutions. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on the “people side” of healthcare, particularly for small and rural healthcare organizations. Sue introduces three key themes for the season: becoming an 'Employer of Choice,' a 'Provider of Choice,' and strengthening the community hospital as a vital community asset. She shares success stories from various hospitals that have transformed their employee engagement and patient satisfaction through adopting a systems-approach to successful change. The episode sets the stage for a season filled with insights on how healthcare leaders can create sustainable progress and build hospitals that communities trust and rely on for generations. For executives of small or rural healthcare organizations -- schedule your complimentary series of systems discovery calls at CapstoneLeadership.net/Contact-Us Key Takeaways Strong hospitals don't happen by accident; they are designed intentionally.Engagement isn't something you demand; it is something you design.When we strengthen a community hospital, we strengthen the community.Leadership strength and employee contributions are key to being an employer of choice.Standardizing excellence in healthcare leads to community recognition and growth.Weekly podcast episodes in Season 3 of Culture Change RX will focus on key themes of culture, care, and community. We’re stepping forward in a bigger way—growing our team of rural healthcare experts, growing our capabilities by adding a strategic planning division … all of this so we can expand our ability to help even more rural hospitals and other small healthcare organizations in 2026. … We’d love to explore how we can support your organization in being the provider- and employer-of-choice so you can keep care local and margins strong! Learn more at CaptoneLeadership.net Hi! I’m Sue Tetzlaff. I’m a culture and execution strategist for small and rural healthcare organizations - helping them to be the provider and employer-of-choice so they can keep care local and margins strong. For decades, I’ve worked with healthcare organizations to navigate the people-side of healthcare, the part that can make or break your results. What I’ve learned is this: culture is not a soft thing. It’s the hardest thing, and it determines everything. When you’re ready to take your culture to the next level, here are three ways I can help you: 1. Listen to the Culture Change RX Podcast Every week, I share conversations with leaders who are transforming healthcare workplaces and strategies for keeping teams engaged, patients loyal, and margins healthy. 2. Subscribe to our Email Newsletter Get practical tips, frameworks, and leadership tools delivered right to your inbox—plus exclusive content you won’t find on the podcast. 📩 Subscribe here 3. Break through to the next level of greatness in your organization with help from my team and me. When you’re ready to be the provider and employer-of-choice, we’ll help you implement proven frameworks that strengthen culture, improve experience and ensure your organization thrives. You can email me at info@capstoneleadership.net and put “BREAKTHROUGH” in the subject line and I’ll get you all the details.

    13 min
  4. Culture Bytes: Your Leadership Success Depends on These 7 Relationships

    JAN 28

    Culture Bytes: Your Leadership Success Depends on These 7 Relationships

    Send us a Message In this episode of Culture Change RX, Sue Tetzlaff, cofounder of Capstone Leadership Solutions, discusses the critical role of relationships in frontline leadership within healthcare. She emphasizes that effective leadership is not just about authority or tasks, but about building and maintaining strong relationships with employees, bosses, HR partners, peers and more. Sue outlines seven key relationships that are essential for success and provides a bonus resource on how to proactively strengthen these connections to enhance engagement and performance.  Relationships are the foundation of effective leadership.Strong relationships lead to better employee engagement and retention.Strengthening relationships can be a valuable proactive and routine activity. Access a detailed resource which guides relationship ratings and improvement recommendations: email info@capstoneleadership.net to request the 7 Key Relationships resource. We’re stepping forward in a bigger way—growing our team of rural healthcare experts, growing our capabilities by adding a strategic planning division … all of this so we can expand our ability to help even more rural hospitals and other small healthcare organizations in 2026. … We’d love to explore how we can support your organization in being the provider- and employer-of-choice so you can keep care local and margins strong! Learn more at CaptoneLeadership.net Hi! I’m Sue Tetzlaff. I’m a culture and execution strategist for small and rural healthcare organizations - helping them to be the provider and employer-of-choice so they can keep care local and margins strong. For decades, I’ve worked with healthcare organizations to navigate the people-side of healthcare, the part that can make or break your results. What I’ve learned is this: culture is not a soft thing. It’s the hardest thing, and it determines everything. When you’re ready to take your culture to the next level, here are three ways I can help you: 1. Listen to the Culture Change RX Podcast Every week, I share conversations with leaders who are transforming healthcare workplaces and strategies for keeping teams engaged, patients loyal, and margins healthy. 2. Subscribe to our Email Newsletter Get practical tips, frameworks, and leadership tools delivered right to your inbox—plus exclusive content you won’t find on the podcast. 📩 Subscribe here 3. Break through to the next level of greatness in your organization with help from my team and me. When you’re ready to be the provider and employer-of-choice, we’ll help you implement proven frameworks that strengthen culture, improve experience and ensure your organization thrives. You can email me at info@capstoneleadership.net and put “BREAKTHROUGH” in the subject line and I’ll get you all the details.

    22 min
  5. JAN 21

    Culture Bytes: Stronger Systems: Less Strain, Better Results

    Send us a Message In this episode of Culture Change RX, Sue Tetzlaff, cofounder of Capstone Leadership Solutions, discusses the challenges and opportunities facing healthcare leaders as they enter a new year. She emphasizes the importance of reflection, the need for stronger systems, and the role of people systems in creating a sustainable and resilient healthcare environment. Sue outlines four essential systems that can help organizations continuously and successfully improve and grow, ultimately leading to a more confident and engaged workforce and a thriving organization. She invites healthcare executives to connect for further collaboration and support in achieving their goals for the year ahead. For executives of small or rural healthcare organizations -- schedule your complimentary series of systems discovery calls at CapstoneLeadership.net/Contact-Us Leaders in healthcare often reflect on the past year to identify what worked and what didn't.Healthcare executives desire relief, confidence, and measurable progress in their organizations.Investing in leadership, culture, and engagement leads to better outcomes for healthcare organizations.Good intentions alone are insufficient for meaningful change; systems must be in place.Change should feel manageable and coordinated, not constant and overwhelming.Experience and strategic support can help healthcare organizations navigate challenges effectively. We’re stepping forward in a bigger way—growing our team of rural healthcare experts, growing our capabilities by adding a strategic planning division … all of this so we can expand our ability to help even more rural hospitals and other small healthcare organizations in 2026. … We’d love to explore how we can support your organization in being the provider- and employer-of-choice so you can keep care local and margins strong! Learn more at CaptoneLeadership.net Hi! I’m Sue Tetzlaff. I’m a culture and execution strategist for small and rural healthcare organizations - helping them to be the provider and employer-of-choice so they can keep care local and margins strong. For decades, I’ve worked with healthcare organizations to navigate the people-side of healthcare, the part that can make or break your results. What I’ve learned is this: culture is not a soft thing. It’s the hardest thing, and it determines everything. When you’re ready to take your culture to the next level, here are three ways I can help you: 1. Listen to the Culture Change RX Podcast Every week, I share conversations with leaders who are transforming healthcare workplaces and strategies for keeping teams engaged, patients loyal, and margins healthy. 2. Subscribe to our Email Newsletter Get practical tips, frameworks, and leadership tools delivered right to your inbox—plus exclusive content you won’t find on the podcast. 📩 Subscribe here 3. Break through to the next level of greatness in your organization with help from my team and me. When you’re ready to be the provider and employer-of-choice, we’ll help you implement proven frameworks that strengthen culture, improve experience and ensure your organization thrives. You can email me at info@capstoneleadership.net and put “BREAKTHROUGH” in the subject line and I’ll get you all the details.

    13 min
  6. Building a Culture of Safe Handoffs (Christina Hazekamp)

    JAN 14

    Building a Culture of Safe Handoffs (Christina Hazekamp)

    Send us a Message In this episode of Culture Change RX, I speak with Christina Hazekamp, Vice President of Client Operations at the I-PASS Institute, about one of the most mission-critical aspects of healthcare delivery: safe and effective handoff communication. Christina shares why structured communication matters now more than ever, how the I-PASS mnemonic reduces cognitive load for clinicians, and how standardizing communication fosters teamwork, trust, and patient safety. The conversation also explores common barriers to change, how to engage front-line clinicians, and the reality that culture change doesn’t happen overnight—but with leadership, alignment, and systems, it does happen. Whether you’re working to improve teamwork, strengthen your patient safety culture, or create greater consistency across caregivers, this episode provides both encouragement and actionable insights. Learn more about I-PASS: https://www.ipassinstitute.com/ Connect with Christina: christina.hazekamp@ipassinstitute.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-hazekamp-mph-3a247350/ We’re stepping forward in a bigger way—growing our team of rural healthcare experts, growing our capabilities by adding a strategic planning division … all of this so we can expand our ability to help even more rural hospitals and other small healthcare organizations in 2026. … We’d love to explore how we can support your organization in being the provider- and employer-of-choice so you can keep care local and margins strong! Learn more at CaptoneLeadership.net Learn more and register for the 2026 Healthcare Executive Forum - We look forward to seeing you on June 17-18 in Madison, Wisconsin! Hi! I’m Sue Tetzlaff. I’m a culture and execution strategist for small and rural healthcare organizations - helping them to be the provider and employer-of-choice so they can keep care local and margins strong. For decades, I’ve worked with healthcare organizations to navigate the people-side of healthcare, the part that can make or break your results. What I’ve learned is this: culture is not a soft thing. It’s the hardest thing, and it determines everything. When you’re ready to take your culture to the next level, here are three ways I can help you: 1. Listen to the Culture Change RX Podcast Every week, I share conversations with leaders who are transforming healthcare workplaces and strategies for keeping teams engaged, patients loyal, and margins healthy. 2. Subscribe to our Email Newsletter Get practical tips, frameworks, and leadership tools delivered right to your inbox—plus exclusive content you won’t find on the podcast. 📩 Subscribe here 3. Break through to the next level of greatness in your organization with help from my team and me. When you’re ready to be the provider and employer-of-choice, we’ll help you implement proven frameworks that strengthen culture, improve experience and ensure your organization thrives. You can email me at info@capstoneleadership.net and put “BREAKTHROUGH” in the subject line and I’ll get you all the details.

    33 min
  7. 100 Episodes - 9 Critical Themes

    JAN 7

    100 Episodes - 9 Critical Themes

    Send us a Message In this celebratory 100th episode of Culture Change RX, I reflect on the journey of the podcast since its inception in early 2024. The episode highlights key themes and subcategories discussed in previous episodes, focusing on improving the employee and patient experience in healthcare organizations. I emphasize the importance of organizational culture, employee engagement, leadership effectiveness, and communication in fostering a positive healthcare environment.  Download (and  share!) this helpful index of prior podcast episodes. We’re stepping forward in a bigger way—growing our team of rural healthcare experts, growing our capabilities by adding a strategic planning division … all of this so we can expand our ability to help even more rural hospitals and other small healthcare organizations in 2026. … We’d love to explore how we can support your organization in being the provider- and employer-of-choice so you can keep care local and margins strong! Learn more at CaptoneLeadership.net Hi! I’m Sue Tetzlaff. I’m a culture and execution strategist for small and rural healthcare organizations - helping them to be the provider and employer-of-choice so they can keep care local and margins strong. For decades, I’ve worked with healthcare organizations to navigate the people-side of healthcare, the part that can make or break your results. What I’ve learned is this: culture is not a soft thing. It’s the hardest thing, and it determines everything. When you’re ready to take your culture to the next level, here are three ways I can help you: 1. Listen to the Culture Change RX Podcast Every week, I share conversations with leaders who are transforming healthcare workplaces and strategies for keeping teams engaged, patients loyal, and margins healthy. 2. Subscribe to our Email Newsletter Get practical tips, frameworks, and leadership tools delivered right to your inbox—plus exclusive content you won’t find on the podcast. 📩 Subscribe here 3. Break through to the next level of greatness in your organization with help from my team and me. When you’re ready to be the provider and employer-of-choice, we’ll help you implement proven frameworks that strengthen culture, improve experience and ensure your organization thrives. You can email me at info@capstoneleadership.net and put “BREAKTHROUGH” in the subject line and I’ll get you all the details.

    15 min
  8. Culture Bytes: 4 Hidden Upsides of Challenging Goals

    12/31/2025

    Culture Bytes: 4 Hidden Upsides of Challenging Goals

    Send us a Message In this episode of Culture Change RX, I discuss the importance of setting challenging goals within organizations. Soft goals do not lead to significant improvements and that setting hard goals can spark creativity, increase engagement, and surface underlying issues that need to be addressed. By aiming for ambitious targets, organizations can achieve more in less time and foster a culture of motivation and collaboration. I encourage you to embrace the challenge of setting big goals for the upcoming year, particularly in the healthcare sector, where the stakes are high. Key Takeaways “Soft (easy) goals,” leading to slow incremental improvement or growth, just don't serve us.“Less is more” when it comes to the quantity of goals, this allows for each goal to be more challenging.Setting hard goals sparks creativity.We can't ignore certain challenges any longer if they interfere with achieving a big goal.High engagement is prompted by a big goal that requires an “all in effort” to win.Difficult goals lead to making more progress in less time.We should win at providing safe and satisfying care and creating a best-place-to-work organization. We’re stepping forward in a bigger way—growing our team of rural healthcare experts, growing our capabilities by adding a strategic planning division … all of this so we can expand our ability to help even more rural hospitals and other small healthcare organizations in 2026. … We’d love to explore how we can support your organization in being the provider- and employer-of-choice so you can keep care local and margins strong! Learn more at CaptoneLeadership.net Hi! I’m Sue Tetzlaff. I’m a culture and execution strategist for small and rural healthcare organizations - helping them to be the provider and employer-of-choice so they can keep care local and margins strong. For decades, I’ve worked with healthcare organizations to navigate the people-side of healthcare, the part that can make or break your results. What I’ve learned is this: culture is not a soft thing. It’s the hardest thing, and it determines everything. When you’re ready to take your culture to the next level, here are three ways I can help you: 1. Listen to the Culture Change RX Podcast Every week, I share conversations with leaders who are transforming healthcare workplaces and strategies for keeping teams engaged, patients loyal, and margins healthy. 2. Subscribe to our Email Newsletter Get practical tips, frameworks, and leadership tools delivered right to your inbox—plus exclusive content you won’t find on the podcast. 📩 Subscribe here 3. Break through to the next level of greatness in your organization with help from my team and me. When you’re ready to be the provider and employer-of-choice, we’ll help you implement proven frameworks that strengthen culture, improve experience and ensure your organization thrives. You can email me at info@capstoneleadership.net and put “BREAKTHROUGH” in the subject line and I’ll get you all the details.

    20 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Embark on a journey to the heart of healthcare, where we dissect the driving force behind every thriving organization: its culture. Drawing on her executive background and extensive work as a strategic coach, Capstone’s co-founder Sue Tetzlaff and guests will share actionable insights and practical steps for successfully navigating the people side of the business of healthcare. Join weekly to be equipped and inspired to uplevel the culture and unlock the next level of potential in your healthcare organization.