Hire for Values, Train for Skills: Building a Chiropractic Dream Team

In the high-pressure world of running a chiropractic clinic, finding the right team can make or break your business. In Episode 28 of the Seven Figure Chiro Podcast, Dr. Jeff Berard and Kristin tackle a lesson they’ve learned firsthand: hiring based on values over skills is the key to building a thriving, low-drama team.

Why Skills Alone Aren’t Enough

It’s tempting to get excited about a candidate with a stacked resume or impressive certifications. But as Jeff shares from personal experience, hiring someone with top-tier skills—but misaligned values—can lead to friction, disappointment, and team dysfunction. Skills can be taught. Values, on the other hand, are deeply rooted.

The Core Values That Shape a Winning Team

At the heart of this episode is a deep dive into the core values that make or break team success. Jeff and Kristin share the foundational traits they look for:

• Ownership Mentality: Staff who treat the business like it’s their own.

• Team Player: Willing to take one for the team when needed, without resentment.

• Critical Thinking: Identifying and fixing issues rather than ignoring them.

• Honesty & Communication: Open dialogue that prevents toxicity and builds trust.

• Competitive Drive: Ambition that pushes the whole team forward.

These values aren’t just talked about, they’re lived, taught, and used in every hiring decision.

The Real Cost of Hiring the Wrong Fit

Jeff and Kristin break down how hiring someone based solely on their skill set, without aligning on values, leads to:

• Management headaches

• Toxic work environments

• Finger-pointing and resentment among team members

• Burnout for business owners trying to “make it work”

Instead, hiring someone with strong values and training them in the technical aspects creates long-term, loyal, and growth-minded team members.

Interview Tactics That Work

Kristin and Jeff share practical tips from their own hiring process:

• Ask about core values before revealing your own. See how they align naturally.

• Pose real-world scenarios. Gauge confidence, ownership, and problem-solving skills.

• Challenge high-salary requests. Ask them to prove their value before they’re paid for it.

These techniques help you spot red flags early and empower candidates to prove they’re a cultural fit before becoming a financial liability.

From Good to Great Employees

Jeff and Kristin’s team didn’t come fully formed. They were built, with intention. When you hire for core values, even good employees can become great. You can shape skills, train techniques, and coach behaviors. But values? Those must already exist.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're building your team from the ground up or refining an existing one, this episode is a must-listen for clinic owners who want to scale without stress. Prioritize values-first hiring, and you’ll build a team that sticks, supports your vision, and elevates your entire business.

Listen to Episode 28 now to learn how to avoid bad hires, build a strong culture, and create a team that grows with you.

Need help defining your core values or improving your hiring process? Reach out to Jeff & Kristin for consulting, team training, and customized hiring systems.