A Personal Journey: From EMT to Public Health 

When I was an EMT working on an ambulance, I saw the same thing over and over—people sick with preventable diseases. It was heartbreaking. So, I made a career move to explore public health, focusing on disease prevention and keeping people healthy. As I career moved into organizational health, I find that I can apply the same principles. 

Just like personal health, organizations have simple and free ways to thrive. Improving your workplace doesn’t require a huge budget —it starts with how you lead. 

The Key to a Healthy Organization 

Patrick Lencioni, author of The Advantage, says the greatest competitive advantage isn’t expensive. It’s free and simple—yet most leaders overlook it. It’s about culture, not intelligence or experience. In the same vein, management expert Peter Drucker says, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” 

Here are four easy ways to improve workplace culture without spending a dime. 

1. Build Trust 

Trust is the foundation of a great workplace. But not all trust is the same. 

• Competency-based trust: “I trust you to do your job well.” 

• Vulnerability-based trust: “I trust you enough to be open and honest.” 

Vulnerability-based trust is the real game-changer. It sounds like: 

• “Can you help me with this?” 

• “I don’t know the answer.” 

• “I made a mistake.” 

• “I’m sorry for how I handled that.” 

• “You do this well—can you teach me?” 

Encourage healthy conflict. If no one debates or challenges ideas, your team may lack trust. Silence does not equal agreement. Try asking: 

• “What parts of this do we agree on?” 

• “What concerns do you have?” 

• “What would you do differently?” 

2. Create Clarity—Then Repeat It 

Clarity reduces confusion and frustration. People can’t do their jobs well if they don’t understand the mission or their role. 

• Define your ‘why’ – Make sure your team knows the purpose behind their work. 

• Repeat it often – People need to hear a message multiple times (7 times or more based on the old adage of the Marketing Rule of 7) before it sticks. 

• Reinforce it daily – Your organization’s values should guide decisions and behaviors. 

A simple way to improve clarity is through face-to-face conversations. A personal touch makes communication stick. 

3. Ask for Feedback—and Act on It 

Want a healthier workplace? Ask employees what’s working and what’s not. A simple way to start is with Gallup’s Q12 Employee Engagement Survey. Some key questions: 

• Do I know what’s expected of me at work? 

• Does my supervisor care about me as a person? 

• Is there someone at work who encourages my growth? 

• Do I have a best friend at work? 

Feedback only works if you act on it. Listen, make small changes, and let employees know their voices matter. 

4. Show You Care 

People don’t quit jobs—they quit bad workplaces. Employees need to feel valued beyond their tasks. 

Lencioni shares a story about a pro athlete joining a new team. A friend asked the coach, “Are you going to have him over for dinner and get to know him?” The coach scoffed, saying, “This is professional sports, not a family dinner.” 

But workplaces—whether in sports or public service—are built on relationships. Employees who feel cared for will be more engaged and productive. 

Ways to show you care: 

• Check in with employees regularly. 

• Recognize their hard work. 

• Support professional growth. 

• Foster a culture of respect and inclusion. 

Final Thoughts: A Quick Workplace Health Check 

To improve your workplace without spending money, focus on these four things: 

• Trust – Foster openness and real conversations. 

• Clarity – Clearly define goals and repeat them often. 

• Feedback – Listen to employees and act on their insights. 

• Care – Treat people like humans, not just workers. 

• By making these simple changes, you’ll create a healthier, happier, and more productive workplace—without breaking the budget. 

Resources for You 

The Advantage: Why Organizational Health Trumps Everything Else in Business by Patrick Lencioni 

Gallup’s Q12 Employee Engagement Survey

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Judy Tincher, Master Certified Transformational Coach, Facilitator, Organizational Strategist & Transformation Enthusiast.

Judy excels at helping clients tune into their leadership style and take practical and applicable action. She is part of the Lancaster Leadership team who serves many public service organizations including Northern Arizona Council of Governments, Lewis Mason Thurston Area Agency on Aging, and Northern Arizona Housing Solutions. Judy combines the science of habits, mental fitness, leadership and development, and coaching for a unique approach to transformational leadership. Judy is a credentialed teacher and has served hundreds of volunteers, nonprofit leaders, and government partners through Arizona Conservation Corps, Conservation Legacy, and AmeriCorps over the years. Accompanying her nonprofit & government leadership spanning 15 years, she certified as an EMT and became the CEO of a coaching business targeted at mitigate disease factors by focusing on nutrition, exercise, sleep and stress. As a lifelong learner, Judy is also a ski patroller, mountain bike skills coach, and she is a graduate of a Coaching Mastery program specializing in neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and neuroplasticity for mindset and performance excellence.

Judy Tincher has worked with numerous organizations, helping leaders refine their leadership styles and take meaningful action. With a unique blend of coaching, mental fitness, and leadership development, she empowers public service, nonprofit, and government professionals to create lasting impact.