What do you do when most of your team walks out? Pour a stiff drink? Hide under the desk? 

In this week’s Veterinary Leadership Success Show, I’m joined by Dr. Molly Husman, owner of Brinker Veterinary Hospital up in Lake Orion, Michigan, and a woman who has lived through the leadership nightmare most of us secretly dread.

Within a year of buying her clinic, she made the brave decision to let someone go. It didn’t go down well. In fact, it set off a chain reaction that left her with just a handful of staff and a whole lot of self-doubt.

But here’s where the story gets good. Molly didn’t crumble - she rebuilt. Brick by brick, hire by hire, dad joke by dad joke (you’ll see what I mean). She rediscovered her purpose, learned to trust again, and built a team that actually wants to be there. Today, she’s running a low-volume, high-touch, heart-led practice that’s about to move into a new purpose-built home.

We talk about the fear of letting go, the power of trust, and why sometimes the most painful decisions turn out to be the best thing that could’ve happened to you.

Grab your headphones, pour something strong, and settle in - this one’s a masterclass in courage, clarity, and leadership with heart.

Episode Outline

[00:03] – When your whole team walks out

[03:20] – Buying a clinic with someone else’s culture

[05:16] – The firing that changed everything

[06:07] – “Stay in joy or go in peace”

[08:20] – Rebuilding from scratch

[09:42] – Turning fear into freedom

[13:11] – What trust really looks like in a vet clinic

[14:24] – Looking at your clinic differently

[16:39] – Learning to step back and actually lead

[18:34] – Realizing you might be the problem

[20:25] – Hiring slow, building fast

[22:12] – One interview question that changed everything

[23:51] – Trust as the heartbeat of culture

[25:18] – Building a practice that fits you

Connect with Dr. Molly Husman

• Brinker Veterinary Hospital
• Connect with Dr. Molly on Linkedin
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Follow Dr. Dave Nicol for More Leadership Insights

• Follow: @drdavenicol
• Learn more about Veterinary Leadership Training: Veterinary Leadership Academy

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Is managing conflict and stress within your team becoming a daily struggle?

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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.

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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.