Hansen and Associates Inc.

04/17/2026

Myth: Play therapy is just kids playing.
Fact: Therapists observe how the child interacts, reflects the emotion or event behind the play, and empowers the child through every session. Play therapy allows for children to communicate beyond their language development which allows for greater processing and healing.

04/11/2026

You can feel a healthy team culture almost immediately.

Not from the mission statement. Not from the perks. But from the way people interact.

Some teams feel open. People speak up. Ideas move fast. Energy feels positive. Other teams feel… heavy. Everyone watches what they say. Meetings are quiet. Decisions drag.

Talent isn’t usually the difference. Culture is.

Here are 8 signs you’re part of a healthy team culture:

1️⃣ People speak honestly in meetings.
- No one feels punished for sharing ideas or disagreeing respectfully.

2️⃣ Mistakes are treated as lessons, not weapons.
- Teams focus on fixing problems instead of blaming people.

3️⃣ Leaders listen more than they talk.
- Good leaders ask questions and create space for others to think.

4️⃣ Credit is shared openly.
- Wins aren’t claimed by one person—they’re celebrated as a team.

5️⃣ Feedback flows both directions.
- Not just top-down. Everyone can contribute to improving the work.

6️⃣ People help each other succeed.
- Colleagues step in without being asked because the goal is shared.

7️⃣ Progress matters more than perfection.
- The team focuses on learning and improving rather than looking flawless.

8️⃣ People feel safe being themselves.
- You don’t have to pretend or constantly prove your worth.

When these things exist, something powerful happens. People stop protecting themselves and start supporting each other. And that’s when teams move faster, think better, and perform at their best.

What’s the clearest sign that a team culture is truly healthy?

04/11/2026

We are all attending Gabor Mate’ this evening. So excited to hang with our group outside the office.

04/09/2026

Gentle reminder 💡

04/07/2026

7 Signs of Flying Monkeys

04/06/2026

The best culture perks don't show up in the job post,

They show up in how people work together:

You can feel a strong culture pretty fast.

Not from the values page.
Not from the office snacks.
Not from the all-hands speech.

From the small things people do every day:

1. People Can Speak Up
↳You don't have to guess what's safe to say
↳Ex: Someone can disagree in a meeting without getting shut down later

2. Managers Give Clear Feedback
↳You know where you stand, good or bad
↳Ex: Your manager tells you what worked, what missed, and what to do next

3. Credit Gets Shared
↳Wins don't get stolen by the loudest person in the room
↳Ex: A leader names the people who did the work, not just the team name

4. Problems Get Fixed Fast
↳Small issues don't sit around until they become big ones
↳Ex: When a process is broken, someone owns it and improves it

5. People Respect Time
↳Not everything is treated like a fire drill
↳Ex: Meetings end on time, and late messages don't expect instant replies

6. Expectations Are Clear
↳You don't have to read minds to do good work
↳Ex: You know the goal, the deadline, and what done looks like

7. Mistakes Become Lessons
↳People learn from errors instead of hiding them
↳Ex: After something goes wrong, the team asks what to change, not who to blame

8. Leaders Act Like Adults
↳They stay calm, honest, and steady when things get hard
↳Ex: They don't dodge hard news or dump stress on the team

9. Help Is Easy To Ask For
↳You don't get punished for not knowing everything
↳Ex: A new hire can ask a basic question and get a kind answer

10. Growth Is Part Of The Job
↳People are stretched, coached, and given real chances to improve
↳Ex: Someone gets a new challenge with support, not just pressure

11. Boundaries Are Normal
↳Healthy work habits are respected, not mocked
↳Ex: People take PTO, log off, and don't have to apologize for it

12. Values Show Up In Real Life
↳The culture matches what the company says it believes
↳Ex: If they say people matter, they prove it in decisions, not posters

Culture isn't what a company says,

It's what people feel every week.

Which green flag stands out most to you?

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♻️ Repost to encourage leaders and managers to build healthier teams people want to stay on.

04/06/2026

Please check out our new website

Transforming into Your Best Self. As a longstanding therapy practice in Cheyenne,we help you conquer all of life’s challenges. Book Now Our Team About Our Practice Welcome! Finding support can feel overwhelming, but a calm space can change everything. Our office in Cheyenne, Wyoming offers that sp...

04/03/2026

People-first leaders understand:

You don’t need a grand gesture to make a lasting impact.

Sometimes, all it takes is one sentence.

The right words, at the right time:
→ “How are you doing, really?”
→ “What would make this easier?”
→ “I trust your judgment.”
→ “You don’t have to figure this out alone.”

Each one sends a powerful message:
🟢 I see you.
🟢 I trust you.
🟢 I’ve got your back.

These are the bricks of psychological safety.
The foundation of speed, trust, and innovation.

They reduce stress.
They unlock potential.
They build trust that lasts.

When your team feels safe, supported, and seen...
→ They speak up.
→ They move faster.
→ They lift each other.

That’s how high-performing cultures are built.

Not through mission statements.
But through small, consistent signals that say:
🟢 You belong.
🟢 You matter.
🟢 You’re not alone.

So the next time you’re unsure what to say...

Start with one sentence.
Then another.
And another.

Those small moments add up.
They become your legacy.

Not just as a leader,

but as someone who made work better
for everyone around them.

04/03/2026

Stop asking people for "thoughts" or "feedback."

15 Questions high performers aren't afraid to ask:

Over 18 years of leading critical care and business teams,

I’ve noticed high performers often ask deeper questions.

15 questions that encourage problem solving and better results:

✅ "What big thing are we not talking about?"
↳ When avoiding a tough topic
↳ Bring up hidden issues everyone's scared to mention

✅ "Who might we upset by this choice?"
↳ When needing quick results
↳ Think about how changes affect others

✅ "What went wrong last time we did this?"
↳ When trying a risky idea
↳ Learn from past mistakes and avoid repeating them

✅ "If money weren't a problem, how would we do this?"
↳ When the budget is tight
↳ Think big and find creative solutions

✅ "What might we be wrong about?"
↳ When everyone agrees
↳ Challenge assumptions and avoid groupthink

✅ "Who else should be part of this talk?"
↳ When key people are missing
↳ Include important voices and perspectives

✅ "What do we risk if we do nothing?"
↳ When the team is afraid
↳ Show the risks of not taking action

✅ "How does this help our big goals?"
↳ When the project is off-track
↳ Refocus the team on what matters

✅ "What's the worst way this could fail?"
↳ When planning a big launch
↳ Prepare for potential disasters

✅ "Who might fight against this idea?"
↳ When suggesting a big change
↳ Anticipate and address resistance

✅ "What skills do we need but don't have?"
↳ When facing a tough challenge
↳ Find gaps in the team's abilities

✅ "How will we know this didn't work?"
↳ When starting a new project
↳ Plan for failures and set clear goals

✅ "What if this works better than we expect?"
↳ When things are going well
↳ Plan for unexpected success

✅ "How will we explain this to our customers?"
↳ When changes affect customers
↳ Consider the impact on those you serve

✅ "What important things are we saying no to?"
↳ When agreeing to a new project
↳ Consider trade-offs and priorities

____

P.S.
From the emergency room to the board room.
Impactful questions transform top performers into leaders.
Now, it's your turn to ask them.

03/26/2026

You can't build strong teams by focusing on results first.

Great leaders start by building the right culture.

A lot of times, when we think about improving our teams,
we can default to performance or metrics.

But if you want people to create a strong impact, you need to build a culture that supports them.

When you prioritize the environment over just the numbers,
people stay engaged and motivated in the long run.

There are 9 signs that show if you're building that kind of culture:

1️⃣ People speak up early and often
↳ Problems are solved before they turn into a crisis.

2️⃣ Curiosity drives progress
↳ Learning is part of people's routines.

3️⃣ People challenge and support each other
↳ Disagreement strengthens collective thinking and relationships.

4️⃣ Energy is visible
↳ Ideas move forward with real momentum.

5️⃣ People take initiative
↳ Team members take action without waiting to be told.

6️⃣ People talk about what's next
↳ Everyone knows the vision and is excited about the new direction.

7️⃣ Presence feels real
↳ Cameras are on, and minds are engaged.

8️⃣ Wins are shared and celebrated
↳ Progress is visible and energizing.

9️⃣ Standards stay high without micromanagement
↳ Excellence is expected and understood.

If you're seeing most of these, you're already building a team culture where everyone can succeed.

If some of these are missing, you know exactly where to focus.

The best leaders create environments where optimization isn't the only focus.
They focus on how people can do their best work without losing themselves in the process.

That's what makes performance sustainable.

Which one of these culture-shifts do you think is most impactful?

🔁 Repost to help another leader create a high-impact team culture.