In this episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show, I’m circling back to a blog post that clearly hit a nerve—“Is Veterinary Mentorship the Greatest Casualty of Corporatization?”. The response was huge. You shared stories, frustrations, and a whole lot of heart. So today, I’m unpacking those comments, reflecting on what they really mean for our profession and exploring what we can do, practically, to turn the tide. If you care about the future of veterinary leadership (and I think you do), this one’s worth your time.

From the silent regret of practice sellers, to the operational time crunch faced by independents, to the shortsightedness of corporate leadership in sidelining seasoned vets, this episode is both a call to action and a glimmer of hope. Because while the system may be creaking, the appetite for change is real, and you might just be part of the solution.

[00:00] – A Bold Question: What Happened to Mentorship?

[03:15] – What We’re Losing Without Mentors

[05:20] – The Gap Between Knowing and Doing

[08:00] – Selling Up: Reflections from Former Practice Owners

[10:30] – Corporatization: A Leadership Vacuum and Lost Wisdom

[12:45] – Independents Aren’t Immune: Time Poverty and Clinical Addiction

[15:00] – Declining Clinical Skills and Public Trust

[19:30] – Are Startups the Answer? A Nuanced Look at Hope and Hype

[22:15] – Your Role in the Solution: Start Now or Wait 6 Years

Is Veterinary Mentorship the Greatest Casualty of Corporatization? Blog

Follow Dave: @drdavenicol

Explore Veterinary Leadership Training: Veterinary Leadership Academy

Leave a review on iTunes and share it with your veterinary friends. Your voice helps others discover the show and join the leadership movement.

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Are you finding it impossible to carve out time for leadership tasks in your veterinary practice?

In this episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show, I’m joined by Mike Porteous – a Level 3 Triathlon Coach, British Triathlon mentor, and the founder of Zig Zag Alive. Mike’s coaching journey spans over two decades, guiding athletes from wobbly first-timers to seasoned competitors with his unique approach to coaching and self-belief.

But Mike’s expertise doesn’t stop at sports. He’s also a Swim England instructor teaching children with disabilities through the charity Level Water, and he’s written for the Outdoor Swimming Society, sharing his insights on preparing for big swims and other endurance challenges. Before diving into the world of Lycra and Ironman races, Mike was a social scientist with a PhD, an MBA, and a civil service career – a background that has deeply influenced his coaching philosophy.

We explore the core principles of his method, 'Confidence-Centered Coaching,' and unpack how his diverse career journey informs his work with athletes today. From breaking the hamster wheel of habitual overwork to building sustainable, self-belief-driven progress, Mike shares powerful insights on how leaders in any field – including veterinary practice – can learn to coach with empathy, create space for growth, and drive genuine progress without burnout.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in a cycle of constant hustle with little reflection, or if you want to learn how to inspire lasting change in your team, this episode is a must-listen. It was a huge pleasure to bring someone who coaches me into the limelight. I hope this shines some light on a keystone subject for all leaders.

[00:00] – Meet Mike Porteous: Coach & Founder of Zig Zag Alive.

[03:15] – From Civil Service to Triathlon.

[05:30] – What Is Confidence-Centered Coaching?

[08:45] – Coaching vs. Telling (aka consulting).

[12:00] – Creating Space for Growth.

[15:20] – The Hamster Wheel of Leadership.

[19:00] – Coaching in Action.

[22:30] – Confidence Through Ownership.

[26:45] – Swim Coaching for Children with Disabilities.

[29:30] – Beyond Belief: Mike’s Book.

[33:00] – How Leaders Can Coach.

[36:45] – Sustainable Success.

[40:30] – Looking Forward.

[44:00] – Wrapping Up.

• Mike’s Book: Beyond Belief: The Art of Confidence-Centered Coaching by Mike Porteous
• Connect with Mike Porteous on Linkedin
• Zig Zag Alive’s Website
• Brene Brown
• The Human Behind the Coach, Claire Patrick

• Follow Dave: @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?

In this reflective episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show, I’m diving into one of the most important, yet often overlooked questions we face as veterinary leaders: Are we spending our precious time wisely?

Sparked by a personal experience attending the funeral of a dear friend, I explore three deep reflections that emerged—how business can be a force for good, why who you spend your time with matters more than you think, and the sobering reminder that none of us are guaranteed endless tomorrows.

If you’ve ever found yourself delaying important decisions, holding off on essential conversations, or postponing dreams for "someday," this episode offers a timely nudge to re-evaluate what really matters—and to take action now.

Episode Outline: 

[00:00] – Reflections from a Life Well Lived

[02:15] – Business as a Force for Good: Why It Matters

[04:40] – Escaping the Zero-Sum Game Mindset in Veterinary Practice

[05:55] – Why the People You Work With Matter More Than You Think

[07:10] – Building Teams That Energize, Not Drain

[08:00] – Do You Really Have Time? Facing Life’s Big Question

[09:00] – The Urgent Call to Act on What Truly Matters

Follow Dr. Dave Nicol for More Leadership Insights:

Follow Dave: @drdavenicol

Learn more about Veterinary Leadership Training: Veterinary Leadership Academy

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Are you finding it impossible to carve out time for leadership tasks in your veterinary practice?

In this episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show, I’m joined by Dr. Mark Reeve, second-generation practice owner of Tea Tree Gully Veterinary Hospital in South Australia. Mark’s approach to team development is anything but traditional—and it’s paying off in spades.

What started as a frustration with stagnant nursing careers and dusty procedure manuals became a mission to revolutionize learning in his clinic. Inspired by the leadership playbook Turn the Ship Around by David Marquet, Mark and his team have built a powerful in-house certification program that’s giving his nurses real direction, satisfaction, and career momentum.

From ditching the 200-page ops manual to introducing 60+ micro-certifications tied directly to pay and performance, Mark shares exactly how his practice transformed learning into a dynamic, gamified system that’s increasing retention, boosting skill levels, and creating a culture of repeatable excellence.

If you want your team to love learning, feel empowered, and stick around for the long haul—this episode is a must-listen.

Episode Outline: 

• [00:00] – Skills as Procedures
• [01:00] – Meet Dr. Mark Reeve: Second-gen vet and practice owner in Adelaide
• [03:20] – From James Herriot Roots to Modern Leadership
• [04:30] – The Problem: No CPD, no progression, high nurse attrition
• [05:50] – Enter Turn the Ship Around: A Navy-inspired pivot to career pathways
• [07:10] – Turning a Dusty Procedure Manual into 60+ Micro-Certificates
• [08:45] – Monthly Recognition, Mentorship, and Real Accountability
• [10:00] – Retention, Repeatability, and Pay Tied to Progress
• [11:45] – A Fairer, More Transparent Career Path (No More Tenure Bias)
• [14:00] – Going Beyond Basic Roles: Consulting, Clinics, Anesthesia & More
• [17:00] – The Impact on Training ROI & Vet Skill Uptake
• [20:00] – Curriculum Creation on the Fly—And Why Alpha Testing Works
• [25:30] – Certificates Built by Nurses, for Nurses
• [27:00] – Why Mark Doesn’t Worry About Recruitment Anymore
• [29:15] – Soft Skills, Client Care & Team Ownership
• [31:00] – Scaling Learning with ChatGPT & Automation (Future Vision)
• [34:30] – The Power of Procedural Thinking
• [36:30] – From Lip Service to Long-Term Success Plans
• [38:15] – “Everyone Comes Home”: How Mark Built an Alumni Culture
• [39:45] – Building a Pipeline from High School to Hospital Leadership

Resources:

Book Mentioned: Turn the Ship Around by David Marquet

Connect with Dr. Mark Reeve:

Tea Tree Gulley Veterinary Hospital: https://www.ttgvet.com.au

Dr. Mark Reeve on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-reeve-a3419068/

Follow Dr. Dave Nicol for More Leadership Insights:

Follow Dave: @drdavenicol

Learn more about Veterinary Leadership Training: Veterinary Leadership Academy

Enjoyed this episode?

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Are you finding it impossible to carve out time for leadership tasks in your veterinary practice?

In this episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show, I’m diving into one of the most common frustrations veterinary professionals face—difficult client interactions—and flipping the script.

What if the problem isn’t just the clients? What if the way we communicate, the assumptions we make, and the systems we put in place are actually feeding the fire?

Drawing from a recent conversation at a veterinary congress, I explore the hidden costs of poor communication, the myths we tell ourselves about client behavior, and the powerful evidence that shows just how appreciated we really are by the public. If you’ve ever felt demoralized by one too many rude comments, this episode will reset your perspective and give you tools to build better client relationships.

Whether you’re a seasoned vet or new to practice, this episode will remind you why the way you connect with clients matters and what to do when it goes wrong.

Episode Outline: 

[00:00] – "You’re Only in It for the Money"

[02:15] – Are Vets Really Overpaid? The Truth Behind the Money Myth

[04:40] – Clients Trust You More Than You Think (Here’s the Data)

[07:10] – What Breaks Trust: Small Failures, Big Consequences

[09:00] – They Won’t Say Yes if They Don’t Trust You

[10:45] – Soft Skills Are Core Skills—Build Them Into Your Practice

Follow Dr. Dave Nicol for More Leadership Insights:

Follow Dave: @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?

In this episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show, I’m joined by Rita Dingwall—practice manager, leadership advocate, and Chair of the Federation of Independent Veterinary Practices. With more than 30 years in the veterinary profession, Rita has seen it all—and she’s here to share her wisdom.

Together, we tackle a topic close to both our hearts: why every veterinary practice needs a capable practice manager, and what happens when you actually let them do the job you hired them to do. From team performance to supplier negotiations and culture-building, Rita reveals the value of empowered practice managers and the high cost of micromanagement.

Whether you’re thinking of hiring your first manager or just need a reminder of what they’re capable of, this one’s for you.

Episode Outline: 

[00:00] – "Let Them Manage" – The Case for Trusting Your Practice Manager

[01:30] – Meet Rita Dingwall: 30+ Years in Vetland and Still Learning

[02:30] – Leadership Lessons for New Managers (and Surrogate Sons)

[03:00] – Rita’s First Role: “Just Come and Organize Us”

[04:20] – When’s the Right Time to Hire a Practice Manager?

[05:30] – The Financial ROI of a Great Practice Manager

[06:30] – The Low-Hanging Fruit: Where Practice Managers Add Immediate Value

[07:30] – Team Clarity, Retention & Culture: Why This Role Is More Than Admin

[08:15] – Operations, Marketing, HR… and That’s Just the Start

[09:10] – CPD, Mentoring & Mental Health – The Real Backbone of the Team

[10:00] – What’s the Magic Number? When You Can’t Afford Not to Hire

[10:30] – Practice Managers ≠ Administrators: Trust, Don’t Micromanage

[11:15] – Fix the Axle: Why Alignment Between Owners & Managers Is Everything

Connect with Rita Dingwall:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rita-dingwall-707979a/

Learn more about the Federation of Independent Veterinary Practices: https://fivp.org.uk/

Follow Dr. Dave Nicol for More Leadership Insights:

Follow Dave: @drdavenicol

Learn more about Veterinary Leadership Training: Veterinary Leadership Academy

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Are you finding it impossible to carve out time for leadership tasks in your veterinary practice?

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.

[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 Effectively

Visit Debra’s Website: Hamilton Law & Mediation

Listen to Debra’s Podcast: Why Do Pets Matter?

Follow Dave: @drdavenicol

Learn more about Veterinary Leadership Training: https://www.drdavenicol.com/veterinary-leadership-academy 

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

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.

[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 Owner

Connect with Dr. Peter Weinstein:

• LinkedIn: Dr. Peter Weinstein
• Veterinary Ownership Advocates: https://www.veterinaryownershipadvocates.com/ 

Follow Dr. Dave Nicol for More Leadership Insights:

• Instagram: @drdavenicol
• Website: drdavenicol.com

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Are you finding it impossible to carve out time for leadership tasks in your veterinary practice?

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-enps

Listen now and start building a culture where your team wants to stay, grow, and succeed.

00:00:00 - Introduction: Why Employee Engagement Matters

00:01:00 - Defining Employee Engagement vs. Employee Experience

00:02:10 - How Engagement Impacts Productivity, Profitability & Well-being

00:04:20 - The Seven Key Metrics for Measuring Engagement

00:09:04 - How to Use Employee Net Promoter Score (eNPS)

00:12:53 - Gallup’s 12 Questions: A Proven Engagement Framework

00:16:30 - Turning Insights Into Action: What to Do Next

00:21:30 - Join the Veterinary Employee Engagement Baseline Study

00:23:10 - Conclusion, Join the Movement 

Stay connected for more insights on leadership, culture, and team success in veterinary practice.

Instagram & Facebook: @drdavenicol

Website & Resources: drdavenicol.com

Got a great story about transforming team engagement in your practice? I'd love to hear it! Reach out via social media or my website.

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 questions
• Why vision matters more than micromanagement
• How leaders build strong, collaborative teams
• The 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 Mirror

Connect with Dr. Peter Weinstein:

• LinkedIn: Dr. Peter Weinstein

Follow Dr. Dave Nicol for More Leadership Insights:

• Instagram: @drdavenicol
• Website: drdavenicol.com

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Are you finding it impossible to carve out time for leadership tasks in your veterinary practice?