December 06, 2023

Ep 90: Vaccinating Ourselves Against Media Ignorance, a Response to Adrian Chiles

21 minutes

Episode Description

In this episode, Dr. Dave Nicol, a veterinarian and leadership expert, provides a response to Adrian Chiles' controversial article in the Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/nov/15/what-have-i-learned-after-three-years-of-dog-ownership-never-trust-a-vet) and to the wider ignorance in the media. Understanding the unique dynamics and demands of running a successful veterinary practice as an owner himself, Dr. Dave is passionate about empowering his listeners to create a workplace where both people and pets can thrive.

The episode delves into the issue of ignorance in the media and its impact on people's perception of veterinarians. Dr. Dave encourages veterinary professionals to vaccinate themselves against this ignorance and not let it affect their work. While acknowledging the challenges, he emphasizes the importance of navigating the leadership challenges in the veterinary profession.

Furthermore, the episode addresses the burnout experienced by younger veterinarians in their careers. Dr. Dave attributes this burnout to a lack of communication and business skills, which are not adequately taught in veterinary training. The disruptions in university training and lockdowns have also hindered the development of social skills, leading to increased anxiety and stress among younger vets.

To address these challenges, Dr. Dave calls for leaders, business owners, and practice owners to take responsibility in teaching these essential skills to the younger generation. He also urges individual veterinarians to take charge of their own development in these areas.

Episode Outline

[00:01:09] Lack of trust in vets.
[00:05:30] Kennel cough and misdiagnosis.
[00:09:39] Media responsibility and mental health.
[00:12:08] Vets practicing defensive medicine.
[00:15:46] Clients are not the enemy.
[00:18:47] Take care and we'll see you next time on the Veterinary Leadership Success Show.

Quotes

“And I do think there's a responsibility on media to think really carefully about this, especially when you're dealing with a group of individuals with a suicide rate of somewhere between 2 and 4 times the national average.”
"Clients are not the enemy."
"There is not a group of people on this planet that I think is more worthy of your trust."

Mentioned in this episode:

Today’s show is brought to you by Leaders, Dr Dave Nicol's Leadership training course.

Are people the major pain point in your practice? If so, you are not alone; over 90% of managers report staff problems as their number one issue.

At the root of this problem are usually three dysfunctions: A poorly articulated vision, toxic culture, or some form of leadership breakdown.

If this sounds familiar, then do not despair. Help is at hand. We encourage you to check out ‘Leaders', a veterinary-specific Leadership training program where you will learn how to create and execute a shared vision, hire well, and build a powerful high-performance practice culture without the drama. The class is accredited, delivered online, and open for applications now.

To learn more, listen to a free training webinar, or apply – visit www.drdavenicol.com/leaders today.