The topic of expert leadership is recent and burgeoning. Many factors can matter for happiness at work – type of occupation, level of education, tenure and industry are also significant. They don’t even come close to mattering as much as the boss’s technical competence. Source: Harvard Business Review, December 29, 2016. The benefit of having a highly competent boss is … [Read more...]
How we self-sabotage
Ed Batista shares perceptions about our relationship with ourselves. Common interpersonal relationship principles show up as three forms of self-sabotage: Self-Criticism: Viewing a problem as the result of our defective personality Self-Contempt: The belief that we're inferior in some way to others Denial: A refusal to engage ourselves and take … [Read more...]
Change your life – trust your future self
Have you broken one of your New Year’s resolutions yet? Being human is hard. We know the sorts of choices we ought to make, and we intend to make them, but we often don’t. The struggle seems to be between good and bad. According to an emerging model from the field of addiction studies, the struggle is between the future and the present. Source: Science of US, January 3, … [Read more...]
Communicate well in the exam room
From the minute a client walks in the door, the experience they have sets their perception of value for the services they receive. To ensure continuity in staff deliverables starts with everyone being on the same page. Checklists in this article provide instructions for duties and responsibilities associated with patient exam rooms. Source: MWI Messenger, January 2017, page … [Read more...]
Effective leadership is balanced
A while back I wrote about some myths about leadership that have the potential to mislead potential leaders in their pursuit of that competency. It seems to me that effective leadership has been and will continue to be a balancing act that is always situational. Source: General Leadership. Balance changes with different circumstances. A leader must evaluate the situation … [Read more...]
Do you want to be liked or lead?
I learned long ago that if I wanted to be universally liked, I should not aspire to a leadership role. Certainly, as a leader, there will be people who do like you and appreciate your leadership. There will also be people who dislike you and will attempt to derail your leadership efforts. Getting past that negative is essential to a leader’s success and coming to grips with … [Read more...]
Opinion – Jumpstart 2017
This is a short work week for many that may feel like three or four Mondays in a row as we return to normal routines. Consider what is ahead then schedule a staff or group meeting early next week to discuss some of the following: Attending industry conventions such as: NAVC, WVC, AAHA, NCBA Note that NAVC and WVC are later in the year. NAVC will be at a new venue … [Read more...]
Why your mind has a mind of its own
Dr. Dan Siegel, clinical psychiatry professor at University of California–Los Angeles has spent much of his career investigating why “the mind has a mind of its own.” Much of the project of life, and the essence of well-being, Siegel argues, is to have a well-balanced brain and a harmonious mind. Source: Science of US, December 12, 2016. Siegel says that our relationships … [Read more...]
Veterinary well-being focus of summit
Educators, students and veterinary practitioners focused on veterinary well-being at the American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges Veterinary Health and Wellness Summit at Colorado State University last month. Michele Gaspar, DVM, DABVP, MA, LPC, a feline veterinarian, licensed counselor and former chaplain, challenged school administrators to consider how they may … [Read more...]
Unplugged, the digital sabbatical
Two straight weeks without a phone or internet access? Whether this sounds like heaven or hell, possible or impossible, Eric Garcia wants you to join him. Unplugging isn’t one-size-fits all. “Begin by spending a day without your phone,” Garcia suggests. “Then, try a day without social media or stop answering emails after 5:00 p.m.” Source: DVM 360, November 16, 2016. Garcia … [Read more...]
Be an effective executive
It matters little if you are a sole proprietor, lead multiple companies or head up a global conglomerate with far-flung operations. The key to your success and your organization’s success lies within the role of an effective executive. Boiling that role down to a manageable number of practices makes success possible. Source: Harvard Business Review, June 2004. The first two … [Read more...]
Take a deep breath through your nose
“Take a deep breath,” it seems, is a common piece of advice. Most of the time, a long, slow inhale-exhale is thought of as a tool for relaxation, a simple way to relax physically and psychologically. Researchers now believe the way you inhale and exhale may also influence the way you react to danger. Source: Science of Us, December 7, 2016. Together, the researchers argued, … [Read more...]
Plan now to maintain the pace as boomers retire
Boomers are leaving a legacy of long tenures and true grit that has made a permanent mark on generations to come. But, as thousands hit retirement age each day, business leaders must make sure their successors are well-trained and well-read. In addition to the basics of form and function, soft skills training are also required. Source: Human Resource Executive, December … [Read more...]
How to say thanks on a budget
Two things are at play this time of year: holiday gifting decisions and planning for the coming year. Each of these activities can stress budgets. In this article, rewards programs are presented as good ideas that work for rewards and may work for the holidays too. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, May/June 2013. Team members like to know they are doing a good job, so it is … [Read more...]
Here’s the best way to ask someone for a favor
Asking someone for a favor can be awkward. We tend to avoid direct contact by using an email or text. Unfortunately, impersonal contact is less likely to get you what you want. Source: Science of Us, December 9, 2016. Based on two experiments, it seems that asking for a favor is a choice between two situations, each with its own ups and downs: Make things comfortable and … [Read more...]
Are you failing your patients in this major way?
Dawn Crandell, DVM, DVSC, DACVECC, calls for a shift in veterinary medicine. It isn’t about the medicine. It is about the way veterinary hospital teams view their patients. The shift, she says, is all about getting rid of dominance behavior. Source: Dr. Andy Roark, December 1, 2016. The pervasive silent influence of the dominance mindset is getting in the way of us doing … [Read more...]
Animal health pros positive about the future of veterinary medicine
Pointed questions were asked of veterinarians, practice managers and team members about the future of veterinary practices in the recent DVM 360 Future of Veterinary Medicine survey. The results show potential shifts in progress on the horizon. The results are presented in infographics that are easy to understand. Source: Firstline, November 29, 2016. Exclusive data points … [Read more...]
The agony of defeat
Nobody bats 1.000%. Nobody wins 162 games in a season. Every MLB team will win 54 games and lose 54 games. Champions are determined by how they play the other 54 games. In business, how you deal with your defeats will ultimately determine your level of success. Source: The Nice Guy Blog, June 15, 2015. If passion drives you, you will stay in the game as long as it takes to … [Read more...]
Strengths, Women vs. Men
All people have a unique combination of talents, knowledge and skills – strengths – that they use every day to do their work, achieve their goals and interact with others. Gallup has been studying the science of strengths for five decades. It has accumulated data from more than 14 million individuals worldwide who have completed the Clifton Strengths assessment. Source: … [Read more...]
Office toxicity can overwhelm you
If you are always on the listening end of the venting during the ever-present office bitch sessions, these authors offer perspective. They speak to the emotional toil the toxic handlers experience and suggest reframing the discussion. Source: Science of Us, December 6, 2016. In a terribly unsurprising finding, their research suggests that people in these roles “frequently … [Read more...]
AVMA report says veterinarian market still robust
The 2016 AVMA Report on the Market for Veterinarians, released in late October examined these categories: Employment, unemployment, and underemployment Income, present value of the veterinary degree Causes of negative well-being: debt, job/career satisfaction and income Expenditure patterns Burnout scores Health Source: Veterinary Practice News, November … [Read more...]
Commit to really listening
We are more distracted than ever. Whether you are a veterinarian, retail associate, hospital staff member or sales representative, listening skills take effort and development. Too often, we get so busy or pushed that even skilled listeners just go through the motions. Dr. Moffett shares how to manage listening. Source: Veterinary Team Brief, April 2015. Genuinely listening … [Read more...]
Leadership myths muddy results
There is money to be made in the field of leadership and thus leadership is taking on an almost mystical mantle with words such as genuine, authentic and so on. We have strayed far afield from the base definition of leadership: the skill or ability to influence willing followers to achieve a desired result. Source: LinkedIn Pulse, November 19, 2016. The Marine Corps taught … [Read more...]
You’re probably a bad listener
Most people don’t think that they’re bad listeners — but they are. Are you? The first and most important step in overcoming bad listening habits is to become more aware of them. Source: Bottom Line Personal, September 15, 2016. Roger Flax, PhD, shares nine common bad listening habits, plus strategies for becoming a great listener. INSIGHTS: We especially liked how Dr. Flax … [Read more...]
13 things the mentally strong DON’T do
Whether applying to your personal, volunteer or professional life, Amy Morin’s list of things not-to-do can help us unlock our full potential. She says, “…letting go of the bad habits helps you work smarter, not harder.” Source: Veterinary Practice News, December 2016, page 33. We all have the ability to build up our mental toughness. Here are 13 things mentally tough … [Read more...]
Approach conversations from your customer’s point of view
As veterinary professionals, we understand the importance of compliance and are committed to achieving that goal with every customer. Unfortunately, that perspective is often the biggest barrier to achieving our goal. Approaching these conversations from our customer’s point of view, rather than our own, will yield greater results. Source: Vet-Advantage, Livestock Edition, … [Read more...]
I screwed up!
Wouldn’t we like to hear an admission of failure instead of excuses more often? According to Justin Grady, most of us are failure hypocrites. Justin claims to be a complete failure, out of which he cultivates creativity and helps others do the same. He speaks to leaders and failures. From our perspective, any animal health pro is a leader when interacting with an animal owner. … [Read more...]
Leaders have a responsibility to stay healthy
Effective leaders realize they have an awesome responsibility and sometimes that burden can lead to burnout or leadership fatigue. Being able to sustain your effectiveness is essential to your success, your team and your organization’s success. The tips presented here to help avoid work burnout could be critical components that ensure your well-being. Source: Forbes, … [Read more...]
4 types of ineffective apologies
Busy workplaces often build intense dynamics that make it easy to say or do something untoward to colleagues, employees or even customers. Sometimes difficult, offering an effective apology is a workplace skill we all must develop. Sincere apologies show that you value relationships and other points of view. Source: Harvard Business Review, November 25, 2016. Many people … [Read more...]
Drs. Blach and Clark, tips for healthier practices
Is My Practice Healthy? is a practice development commitment from Edward L. Blach, DVM, MS, MBA, and Andrew R. Clark, DVM, MBA. Each week, they write tips and commentary in a platform designed to provide an educational venue and community where stakeholders in the veterinary industry can go to learn about veterinary practice management and industry economics. Our team at AHD … [Read more...]