Short conversations with smart people with good ideas to help you run your veterinary practice more effectively. Each month, your host, Dr. Dave Nicol, puts a s...
Ep 108: Defusing Conflict in Veterinary Practice with Debra Vey Voda-Hamilton
In this episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show, I’m joined by Debra Vey Voda-Hamilton, a litigator-turned-mediator specializing in veterinary medicine. Debra has dedicated her career to helping veterinary teams and pet owners navigate conflicts with compassion and clarity.Let’s face it—difficult conversations are inevitable in veterinary practice. Whether it’s handling an upset client, resolving team disagreements, or addressing medical missteps, knowing how to defuse emotional “bombs” before they explode is an essential leadership skill.In this episode, Debra shares her top strategies for handling high-stakes conversations, including the key phrases every veterinary professional should know to keep discussions constructive and to avoid escalation.Episode Outline:[00:00:00] –Why Conflict Resolution is a Must-Have Skill in Veterinary Medicine[00:03:00] – The #1 Mistake Vets Make When Handling Upset Clients[00:07:00] – Defusing the Bomb: The Art of Active Listening & De-escalation[00:12:30] – Managing Expectations: How Transparency Prevents Future Conflicts[00:18:45] – Top 5 Phrases Every Vet Should Use in Difficult Conversations[00:24:15] – "Get It Right, Don’t Be Right" – The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything[00:28:30] – How to Train Your Team to Handle Conflict EffectivelyConnect with Debra Vey Voda-Hamilton:Visit Debra’s Website: Hamilton Law & MediationListen to Debra’s Podcast: Why Do Pets Matter?Follow Dr. Dave Nicol for More Leadership Insights:Follow Dave: @drdavenicolLearn more about Veterinary Leadership Training: https://www.drdavenicol.com/veterinary-leadership-academy Enjoyed this episode?Leave a review on iTunes and share it with your veterinary colleagues! Mentioned in this episode:Mentioned in this episode:Is managing conflict and stress within your team becoming a daily struggle?
Are strained relationships and unresolved tensions holding your veterinary practice back?
For many practice owners, navigating the complexities of team dynamics can be overwhelming. Without the right skills, stress and conflict can quickly escalate, affecting your practice’s culture and performance.
At the Veterinary Leadership Academy, we specialize in helping practice owners develop the skills to manage conflict and reduce stress. Our program will teach you effective communication strategies, how to handle difficult conversations, and ways to foster a positive, collaborative team environment.
With weekly group coaching sessions, you’ll receive ongoing support to address these challenges head-on. The course is fully online, accredited, and open for applications now. Visit drdavenicol.com/veterinary-leadership-academy to apply today.
Don’t let conflict and stress undermine your practice. Equip yourself with the tools to lead a harmonious, high-performing team.
Visit drdavenicol.com/veterinary-leadership-academy now.
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Ep 107: Top 3 Leadership Books Every Veterinary Leader Should Read with Dr. Peter Weinstein
In this episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show, Dr. Dave Nicol is joined once again by leadership expert Dr. Peter Weinstein to dive into their top three must-read leadership books for veterinary professionals.Great leadership isn’t just about managing people—it’s about inspiring teams, making smart decisions, and building a sustainable, thriving practice. But with so many books on leadership out there, which ones actually make a difference? In this episode, Dave and Peter break down their current favorite reads and explain how these books can transform the way you lead your team and run your practice.Episode Outline:[00:00:00] – Introduction: The Leadership Book Challenge[00:01:18] – Why Leadership is a Team Sport (Lessons from John Wooden)[00:03:37] – Conscious Business – The Book That Changed Dave’s Leadership Approach[00:05:07] – How to Win Friends & Influence People – A Timeless Classic[00:06:16] – Turn the Ship Around! – How to Lead When Everything Feels Broken[00:08:22] – Trust & Inspire – The Future of Leadership[00:10:27] – Blue Ocean Strategy – Strategic Thinking for Veterinary Leaders[00:12:32] – The Must-Read Leadership Book for Every Veterinary Practice OwnerConnect with Dr. Peter Weinstein:LinkedIn: Dr. Peter WeinsteinVeterinary Ownership Advocates: https://www.veterinaryownershipadvocates.com/ Follow Dr. Dave Nicol for More Leadership Insights:Instagram: @drdavenicolWebsite: drdavenicol.com🎙️ Enjoyed this episode?Leave a review on iTunes and share it with your veterinary colleagues!Mentioned in this episode:Mentioned in this episode:Are you finding it impossible to carve out time for leadership tasks in your veterinary practice?
Do you feel like you’re always putting out fires instead of leading your team?
You're not alone.
Many practice owners face the challenge of balancing clinical work with the demands of leadership, often leaving little time to work on the business rather than just in it.
The Veterinary Leadership Academy is here to help. Our program is designed specifically for busy practice owners like you. We teach you how to streamline your operations, delegate effectively, and make time for the leadership tasks that drive growth.
With weekly group coaching sessions, you’ll get practical advice on managing your time and staying on track.
The course is online, accredited, and ready for your application. Visit drdavenicol.com/veterinary-leadership-academy to learn more.
Stop letting time slip away and start leading your practice with intention.
Visit drdavenicol.com/veterinary-leadership-academy today.
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15:03
Ep 106: Is Your Team Engaged—or Just Going Through the Motions? with Dr. Dave Nicol
In this episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show, we're diving into a critical question: how engaged is your team, really?We all want a workplace where people love coming to work, feel valued, and go the extra mile—not because they have to, but because they want to. But how do you actually measure and improve employee engagement in veterinary practice?Join me as I break down what employee engagement is (and how it’s different from employee experience), why it matters more than ever, and how you can quantify and improve engagement using practical tools like Employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS) and Gallup’s 12 Questions.If you’re ready to boost morale, reduce turnover, and build a team that thrives, this episode is for you.We’re launching the Veterinary Employee Engagement Baseline Study, where you can get your team's eNPS score and benchmark it against practices worldwide. Find out more at drdavenicol.com/get-your-enpsListen now and start building a culture where your team wants to stay, grow, and succeed.Episode Outline:00:00:00 - Introduction: Why Employee Engagement Matters00:01:00 - Defining Employee Engagement vs. Employee Experience00:02:10 - How Engagement Impacts Productivity, Profitability & Well-being00:04:20 - The Seven Key Metrics for Measuring Engagement00:09:04 - How to Use Employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS)00:12:53 - Gallup’s 12 Questions: A Proven Engagement Framework00:16:30 - Turning Insights Into Action: What to Do Next00:21:30 - Join the Veterinary Employee Engagement Baseline Study00:23:10 - Conclusion, Join the Movement Follow Dr. Dave Nicol:Stay connected for more insights on leadership, culture, and team success in veterinary practice.Instagram & Facebook: @drdavenicolWebsite & Resources: drdavenicol.comGot a great story about transforming team engagement in your practice? I'd love to hear it! Reach out via social media or my website.
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23:58
Ep 105: 10 Leadership Lessons in 10 Minutes with Dr. Peter Weinstein
In this episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show, Dr. Dave Nicol is joined once again by leadership expert Dr. Peter Weinstein for a rapid-fire challenge: sharing 10 essential leadership lessons in just 10 minutes.Veterinary leadership is more important than ever, but what are the key traits that separate great leaders from the rest? In this episode, Dr. Weinstein delivers a concise, no-nonsense breakdown of the fundamental principles that every veterinary leader should embrace.Dr. Weinstein shares his insights on:Why great leaders create other leaders (not just followers)The power of listening and asking great questionsWhy vision matters more than micromanagementHow leaders build strong, collaborative teamsThe importance of keeping your eyes on the future, not the past🔑 Key Takeaway: Leadership isn’t about control—it’s about empowering those around you. If you want to build a thriving, successful veterinary practice, focus on developing your team, refining your vision, and keeping your sights set on the bigger picture.Episode Outline[00:00:00] – Introduction: The 10-Minute Leadership Challenge[00:02:02] – Leaders Are Learners[00:02:42] – Leaders Are Listeners[00:03:16] – Leaders Ask Great Questions[00:03:50] – The Importance of Vision[00:05:00] – Great Leaders Build More Leaders[00:07:20] – Why Empathy Matters[00:08:30] – The Power of Teamwork & Collaboration[00:09:15] – Delegation: A Leader’s Secret Weapon[00:10:30] – Focusing on Outcomes, Not Processes[00:11:45] – Looking Through the Windshield, Not the Rearview MirrorConnect with Dr. Peter Weinstein:LinkedIn: Dr. Peter WeinsteinFollow Dr. Dave Nicol for More Leadership Insights:Instagram: @drdavenicolWebsite: drdavenicol.com🎙️ Enjoyed this episode?Leave a review on iTunes and share it with your veterinary colleagues!Mentioned in this episode:Mentioned in this episode:Are you finding it impossible to carve out time for leadership tasks in your veterinary practice?
Do you feel like you’re always putting out fires instead of leading your team?
You're not alone.
Many practice owners face the challenge of balancing clinical work with the demands of leadership, often leaving little time to work on the business rather than just in it.
The Veterinary Leadership Academy is here to help. Our program is designed specifically for busy practice owners like you. We teach you how to streamline your operations, delegate effectively, and make time for the leadership tasks that drive growth.
With weekly group coaching sessions, you’ll get practical advice on managing your time and staying on track.
The course is online, accredited, and ready for your application. Visit drdavenicol.com/veterinary-leadership-academy to learn more.
Stop letting time slip away and start leading your practice with intention.
Visit drdavenicol.com/veterinary-leadership-academy today.
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7:54
Ep 104: Are We Facing a Leadership Crisis in Veterinary Medicine? with Dr. Peter Weinstein
In this episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show, Dr. Dave Nicol sits down with Dr. Peter Weinstein to tackle a critical issue in veterinary practice: leadership (or the lack of it).Veterinary medicine faces significant challenges, from staff retention and burnout to profitability and practice sustainability. But is the real issue a shortage of veterinarians, or is it a lack of effective leadership?Dr. Weinstein shares his insights on:Why many veterinary practices struggle with both the quality and quantity of leadershipThe difference between management and leadership—and why most practices are stuck in the formerHow having a vision, mission, and strong values separates thriving practices from those merely survivingThe real reason behind staff shortages and why retention should be the focus over recruitmentThe biggest leadership investments that practice owners should make in the next five years🔑 Key Takeaway: If your goal as a leader is simply to get through the day, you own a job. If your goal is to make a lasting impact on your team, clients, and the profession, then you are a leader.Are you ready to level up your leadership game? Tune in now.Episode Outline[00:00:00] – Introduction: Leadership vs. Management[00:01:12] – Welcoming Dr. Peter Weinstein[00:02:40] – The State of Leadership in Veterinary Medicine[00:03:56] – Why Most Practices Are Stuck in ‘Survival Mode’[00:05:24] – Leadership as a Long-Term Game[00:06:55] – The Veterinary Workforce: Is It Really a Shortage?[00:07:47] – The Power of Retention Over Recruitment[00:09:33] – How Leadership Impacts Practice Success[00:12:20] – The Key Investments Leaders Should Make[00:16:33] – The Role of Communication in Leadership[00:17:49] – Final Thoughts & Where to Learn MoreConnect with Dr. Weinstein on LinkedIn or visit Veterinary Ownership Advocates for more insights on veterinary leadership and practice ownership.Follow Dr. Dave Nicol for more leadership insights on Instagram, Facebook, and at drdavenicol.com.🎙️ Enjoyed this episode?Leave a review on iTunes and share it with your veterinary colleagues!Mentioned in this episode:Mentioned in this episode:Is managing conflict and stress within your team becoming a daily struggle?
Are strained relationships and unresolved tensions holding your veterinary practice back?
For many practice owners, navigating the complexities of team dynamics can be overwhelming. Without the right skills, stress and conflict can quickly escalate, affecting your practice’s culture and performance.
At the Veterinary Leadership Academy, we specialize in helping practice owners develop the skills to manage conflict and reduce stress. Our program will teach you effective communication strategies, how to handle difficult conversations, and ways to foster a positive, collaborative team environment.
With weekly group coaching sessions, you’ll receive ongoing support to address these challenges head-on. The course is fully online, accredited, and...
Short conversations with smart people with good ideas to help you run your veterinary practice more effectively. Each month, your host, Dr. Dave Nicol, puts a subject of importance to practice managers under the microscope with a subject matter expert to help you grapple with real-life management problems.
Loosely arranged around the topics required to complete the CVPM, this show will help you with ideas and inspiration to take on some of the big problems and opportunities we all face in veterinary medicine.
Listen to The Veterinary Leadership Success Show, The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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