In this episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show, I’m joined by my copilot, Oliver Loveday, Head of Community here at the Veterinary Leadership Academy. We’re digging into one of the most overlooked but absolutely critical parts of running a successful veterinary practice: your vision.

And I don’t mean some fluffy slogan you stick on a wall and then ignore. I’m talking about the hard graft of clarifying your purpose, your mission, and your values, the foundation stone that makes everything else work and align. Without it, you’re building on sand. With it, you’ve got a north star to guide the biggest decisions you’ll ever make: who you hire, how you shape your culture, the way you connect with clients, and even how you hold yourself together on your toughest, most difficult days.

The painful truth? Most practice owners either don’t do this work, or they do it badly. And when that happens, it’s only a matter of time until the cracks show. Poor hiring decisions, a toxic culture, poor team alignment, wasted energy, and a practice that feels harder to lead than it should.

Oliver and I share stories from inside our community of practice owners who’ve gone through what we call “vision casting.” These are raw, vulnerable, sometimes emotional sessions that strip back the layers and get to the truth of why their practice exists. And when that clarity hits, you feel it. A good vision gives you goosebumps and butterflies. It attracts the right people, keeps your team moving together and motivated, and fuels you as a leader when the simplest tasks feel impossible.

If you’re wondering where to start with your vision, this is the episode for you. Tune in, hear how we do it, and if you’re serious about taking the next step, reach out to Oliver Loveday to find out how we can help.

Episode Outline:

[01:00] – The Owner’s 3 Core Jobs

[03:30] – What Vision Really Means

[05:00] – Switching Brains: Logic to Creative

[07:00] – Why Vision Matters in Hiring

[10:30] – The Goosebump Test

[12:00] – Vulnerability & Masks

[16:00] – Real-World Examples

[27:00] – Humility in Leadership

[29:00] – Our Practice Vision

[30:30] – What You Need To Do Next

Connect with Oliver Loveday:

• Book A Call with Oilver
• Connect with Oliver on Linkedin

Follow Dr. Dave Nicol for More Leadership Insights:

• Follow Dr. Dave: @drdavenicol
• Learn more about the Veterinary Leadership Academy

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