The Veterinary Leadership Success Show

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, pra...

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...

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 tim...

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 lea...

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...

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 capabl...

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 clien...

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 l...

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 emplo...

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...

In this episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show , Dr. Dave Nicol sits down with Dr. Peter Weinstein to tackle a critical issue in veterinary practice: leadership (or the lack of it). Veterinary medicine faces significant challenges, from staff retention and burnout to profitability and practice sustainability. But is the real issue a shortage of veterinarians, or is it a lack of effectiv...

Is your team pulling in the same direction, or are you stuck in a tug-of-war? In this episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show , we’re tackling one of the biggest challenges in veterinary practices: team alignment. Without a clear vision and shared goals, individual agendas can clash, leaving your practice inefficient and frustrated. Discover why a strong, actionable vision is the key to...

Thinking of opening your own practice? Don’t let fear hold you back. Many people considering starting their own practice let fear hold them back. But with the right people, the right vision and the right preparation, you can make magic happen. In this episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show, I’m taking you back to where it all began — the doubts, fears, and leaps of faith that led to own...

In this episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show , we’re shaking things up with a fresh format, bringing you real-life insights straight from the front lines. You’ll hear from veterinary leaders navigating their own leadership journeys, sharing the raw, unfiltered stories of their wins, challenges, and ‘aha’ moments. Today, I’m joined by Dr. Casandra Fowler from Harmony Animal Hospital, w...

In this 100th episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show, we dive into a common yet critical question for veterinary leaders: should you promote from within your team or hire externally for a new role? This decision can significantly impact your practice's culture, efficiency, and overall success. I’ll share my insights on evaluating your practice’s current state, the team dynamics, and the...

In this episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show, Dr. Dave Nicol dives into one of the most pressing questions faced by veterinary leaders: "How on earth do you find an extra half an hour every week to do a one-on-one meeting with every team member and not go mad?" After his 25 years of running and coaching veterinary practices to success, Dr. Dave understands the struggle of balancing cl...

In this episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show, Dr. Dave Nicol is joined by co-founder, financial advisor, and podcast host, Tom Seeko from Florida Veterinary Advisors. They discuss the importance of bringing on people whose personalities mesh with your business culture to set yourself up for success. Tom Seeko, shares insights as an official business financial guide and qualified finan...

In this week’s Veterinary Leadership Success Show, host Dr. Dave Nicol is joined by Dr. Peter Weinstein. They discuss crucial aspects of efficient processes and productivity within veterinary practice, the importance of both visionary and performance-based leadership, and the goal of creating a workplace where both people and pets can prosper. Dr. Peter Weinstein offers critical insights on optimi...

In this episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Podcast, Dr. Dave Nicol is joined by mentor and friend, Nancy Slessenger, discussing the importance of identifying triggers and creating a plan to manage them effectively. The conversation touches on leadership in veterinary practices and includes valuable insights and practical tips on leadership in the veterinary profession. Nancy suggests reh...

In this week’s Veterinary Leadership Success Show, host Dr. Dave Nicol is joined by Dr. Matt Spiegle. Following a varied career path so far, Dr. Matt has taken the decision to get back into practice, but this time, as an owner. Everyone who decides to open or buy a vet practice does so with a mix of both excitement, fear and trepidation. Dr Matt’s story is no different and is the next stage in an...

Episode Description In this episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show, Dr. Dave delves into a pivotal aspect of self-development: confronting our inner critic with facts, not fiction. Drawing from personal experience, Dr. Dave shares a poignant moment where a distraction led to a medication error. Rather than succumbing to self-blame, Dr. Dave advocates for a pragmatic approach rooted in r...

Episode Description In this week’s Veterinary Leadership Success Show, Dr. Dave Nicol and Dr. Saye Clement delve into the significance of female leadership within the veterinary profession. Dr. Clement, an experienced veterinarian and former practice owner, shares her personal journey and insights, emphasizing the importance of women taking on leadership roles in the industry. Key Points: Represen...

Episode Description In this episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show, Dr. Dave Nicol discusses navigating low energy states as a veterinary leader. Strategies for maintaining energy are crucial for leaders, as their energy not only affects their own well-being but also transfers to their team. In the podcast episode, several strategies were discussed: Self-awareness: Being aware of one's...

Episode Description In this episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Podcast, Dr. Dave Nicol announces his upcoming talks at VMX and shares his excitement about presenting new content. He discusses his schedule and highlights a specific talk titled "Just a GP Veterinarian: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome," which will be hosted by IDEX. Dr. Nicol expresses his honor and enthusiasm for speaking wit...

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 su...