Talking Ops: Why Focused Execution Drives Better Hospice Growth

Hospice growth isn’t magic – it’s disciplined, aligned and relentless operational work. In this episode, Tony talks with Chris Smith, CEO of Affinity Hospice and a respected operator with deep experience at Seasons Hospice and AccentCare. Chris shares why sustainable growth starts with understanding your marketing plan, aligning it with clinical capacity, and refusing to let teams operate in silos.

The conversation dives deep into the Four Disciplines of Execution (4DX) framework – from identifying wildly important goals to tracking leading indicators that actually predict results. Chris explains how scheduling non-negotiable meetings, simplifying scoreboards, and focusing on daily behaviors create a culture of accountability across operations, clinical and business development teams.

They also discuss big shifts in the hospice landscape – care moving upstream, more informed families, tighter regulatory expectations, value-driven partnerships, and the increasing need for sophisticated data analysis. Through it all, Chris emphasizes one truth: You can’t be all things to all people – but you can be excellent when aligned around the right goals.

This is a must-listen for leaders seeking clarity, rigor and practical structures to drive growth in 2026 and beyond.