In this episode, Dr. Barbara Hales talks with Dr. Michael Neal about building the best hiring system for doctors.

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• Neal, founder of Build My Team, shares how his company streamlines the hiring process for healthcare practices by finding top-tier talent without the usual hassle.​
  
• He explains how their system uses surveys, cognitive and personality assessments, and video interviews to narrow hundreds of applicants down to the most qualified and culturally compatible.​
  
• The approach focuses on hiring for attitude and alignment with core values—not just resumes—saving doctors from costly hiring mistakes.​
  
• Neal points out that most healthcare providers aren’t trained in hiring, often leading to poor results, burnout, or high turnover.​
  
• He shares that his company takes the guesswork out of hiring by providing pre-vetted candidates for interview, making the process stress-free and efficient.​
  
• With a 93% retention rate, Build My Team proves that a strategic hiring system can lead to long-term team satisfaction and stronger practices.​
  

Key Takeaway:

 “Doctors are great at practicing medicine—not hiring. That’s where we come in—to help them build a team they can trust, so they can focus on what they do best.” – Dr. Michael Neal.​

Connect with Dr. Michael Neal:

Website: www.BuildMyTeam.com

Email: info@buildmyteam.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dr-michael-neal

Connect with Barbara Hales:

Twitter:   @DrBarbaraHales

Facebook:   facebook.com/theMedicalStrategist

Business Website: www.TheMedicalStrategist.com

Show website:   www.MarketingTipsForDoctors.com

Email:   Barbara@TheMedicalStrategist.com

Books:

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• Content Copy Made Easy
  
• 14 Tactics to Triple Sales
  
• Power to the Patient: The Medical Strategist
  

YouTube: TheMedicalStrategist

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/barbarahales

TRANSCRIPTION

Introduction

Dr. Barbara Hales: Welcome to Marketing Tips for Doctors, the podcast that gives you powerful insights to grow your practice and elevate patient care. I’m your host, Dr. Barbara Hales, and today we have a truly inspiring guest — Dr. Michael Neal. He’s the founder and CEO of Build My Team, a unique service helping healthcare practices streamline their hiring process using science-based strategies. In this episode, we’ll explore Dr. Neal’s journey from family medicine to entrepreneurship, how his hiring system transforms medical practices, and the benefits of optimizing your team to save time, reduce turnover, and grow your business.

Story 1: From Physician to Founder

 Dr. Barbara Hales: Dr. Neal, let’s start with your background. You were practicing family medicine before this entrepreneurial pivot. What led you to make such a big shift?

Dr. Michael Neal: I practiced family medicine for 17 years and ran my own clinic for about 15 of those years. But what I found was that hiring great employees was incredibly difficult. It was also the biggest source of stress in my practice. We had a 50% failure rate, meaning half of the people we hired either weren’t a good fit or left within a few months. I started thinking, “There has to be a better way.” That frustration pushed me to develop what eventually became Build My Team.

Dr. Barbara Hales: That’s such a relatable pain point for many in private practice — hiring is time-consuming, expensive, and often disappointing.

Dr. Michael Neal: Exactly. I realized that no scientifically based hiring systems were being used in the healthcare space. So I dove into research, read everything I could about industrial-organizational psychology, and started applying those principles in my clinic. The results were incredible.

Key Strategies Behind Build My Team

Using Scientific Hiring to Reduce Turnover

Dr. Michael Neal: One of the biggest changes we made was using assessments to measure cognitive ability and personality traits. We look for things like attention to detail, work ethic, and how well someone fits into a specific role. For example, someone might be a great person, but that doesn’t mean they’ll succeed as a front-desk receptionist. You need specific traits for that role. By focusing on job fit, we dramatically improved our retention rate and office culture.

Dr. Barbara Hales: That’s fascinating. So you’re saying that traditional hiring — based just on resumes and interviews — is almost like guesswork?

Dr. Michael Neal: Exactly. It’s like rolling the dice. Most doctors don’t have time to become hiring experts, so they go off gut instinct, which can be really misleading. Our system takes that burden off their plate.

How the Build My Team Process Works

 Dr. Barbara Hales: Walk us through the process. How does Build My Team actually help a practice?

Dr. Michael Neal: First, we meet with the doctor or practice owner to understand exactly what they need. Then we take over the entire hiring process — from writing the job post, advertising, screening, and testing, to delivering the top three candidates. We also provide interview questions tailored to each candidate. The doctor only needs to choose who they want to hire.

Dr. Barbara Hales: That’s incredible. So the practice owner gets all the benefits of a structured, scientific hiring process without having to do the heavy lifting.

Dr. Michael Neal: Right. We handle everything so doctors can focus on patient care and running their business.

Story 2: Real Results from Real Practices

Dr. Barbara Hales: Can you share a success story from one of your clients?

Dr. Michael Neal: Absolutely. We worked with a dental practice that had struggled for years with front desk turnover. After using our system, they hired a candidate who’s now been with them for three years and has completely transformed their patient experience. That one good hire saved them thousands in recruiting costs and boosted their revenue because patients were happier and more engaged.

Coaching and Tools for Long-Term Success

 Dr. Barbara Hales: Do you also offer ongoing support or coaching after the hire?

Dr. Michael Neal: Yes, we provide onboarding support and guidance to help ensure a smooth transition. And we always encourage practices to continue using structured feedback and performance tracking to maintain that strong team dynamic.

Conclusion

 Dr. Barbara Hales: This has been such a valuable conversation. Thank you, Dr. Neal, for sharing your journey and insights with us today. If you’re listening and ready to upgrade your hiring process, visit buildmyteam.com and schedule a consultation. Remember, a strong team is the backbone of a thriving practice.

Dr. Michael Neal: Thank you so much for having me. I truly believe that every healthcare provider deserves a team that supports their mission and makes their life easier. That’s what Build My Team is all about.

Dr. Barbara Hales: And that’s a wrap for today’s episode! If you enjoyed this, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review. Until next time, stay smart and stay successful.