A few weeks ago, I sat down with Dr Andy Roark and he dropped a line that lit up the internet:

“You, my friend, are a dick.”

His point was simple and uncomfortable. In veterinary medicine, one of the biggest career killers is being someone others simply do not want to work with. You might be clinically excellent. You might work hard. But if you consistently damage relationships, you quietly lose opportunities, influence and growth.

The feedback to that episode was fascinating. Many of you agreed. Many pushed back, sharing stories of abrasive leaders who still climbed the ladder.

So this week, I unpack it properly.

I break leadership down into a series of “Big D” styles - Direct, Ditherer, Dreamer and Democrat - and explore how each one shapes the way we make decisions. We look at when directive leadership works and when it corrodes culture, why indecision is often a clarity problem, how conflict avoidance erodes trust, and why collaboration without ownership stalls progress.

Underpinning it all is one core truth: leadership is decision-making.

And great leaders are not defined by personality. They are defined by flexibility.

So grab a coffee and join me for a practical conversation about leadership agility, self-awareness and choosing the right mode for the moment.

[00:00] Big D leaders in vet med

[02:03] Is being a dick really a career killer?

[03:14] The Direct leader – results vs relationships

[05:40] The Ditherer – clarity before action

[07:41] Dreamers – vision vs avoidance

[11:28] The Democrat – collaboration and responsibility

[15:52] Why data sharpens decisions

[17:11] Leadership is about flexibility

If you want to sharpen your decision-making, build clarity around what good looks like, and develop the flexibility your team needs from you. Book a call with us at the Veterinary Leadership Academy.

We’ll help you identify where you’re strong, where you’re stuck, and what to do next.

Follow Dr. Dave Nicol for More Leadership Insights:

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

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