In this episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show, we’re pulling back the curtain on something that’s quietly sabotaging teams across the veterinary profession: disengagement. I’m joined by Oliver Loveday, our Head of Community, to talk about the early findings from our Veterinary Employee Engagement Benchmark Study (VEEBS) . We’ve had over 80 practices take part already, and the results are both sobering and full of opportunity. What we’re seeing is a consistent, avoidable gap – a break...
Jun 25, 2025•27 min•Ep. 116
In this episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show, I’m tackling a topic that’s going to shape the future of our profession, whether we’re ready or not, I’m talking about AI. Now, I know what you’re thinking. Another shiny tool, another thing to learn. But this one’s different. Used right, AI can help you cut through the chaos, free up your time, and finally start making real progress on the stuff that actually matters, like culture, strategy, and leadership. From SOPs to job ads, marketi...
Jun 05, 2025•19 min•Ep. 115
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 d...
May 28, 2025•26 min•Ep. 114
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...
May 14, 2025•51 min•Ep. 113
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...
Apr 29, 2025•12 min•Ep. 112
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...
Apr 16, 2025•43 min•Ep. 111
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...
Apr 02, 2025•13 min•Ep. 110
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. Fro...
Mar 26, 2025•14 min•Ep. 109
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 “bo...
Mar 19, 2025•25 min•Ep. 108
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 do...
Mar 12, 2025•15 min•Ep. 107
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, ...
Mar 05, 2025•24 min•Ep. 106
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. W...
Feb 25, 2025•8 min•Ep. 105
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 effective leadership ? Dr. Weinstein shares his insights on: Why many veterinary practices struggle with bot...
Feb 04, 2025•20 min•Ep. 104
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 defining who you are, setting clear objectives, and creating accountability that unifies your team. ...
Dec 17, 2024•14 min•Ep. 103
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 owning my first veterinary practice. I’m talking about the hurdles that almost stopped me in my tracks ...
Nov 04, 2024•15 min•Ep. 102
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, who has been part of the Veterinary Leadership Academy for quite some time. Casandra’s got a remarkab...
Oct 14, 2024•26 min•Ep. 101
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 pros and cons of both approaches. Whether you're dealing with a vacancy or planning for future grow...
Jul 25, 2024•15 min•Ep. 100
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 clinical duties with leadership responsibilities and offers his insights on why these meetings are cru...
Jul 17, 2024•16 min•Ep. 99
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 financial advisor. Tune in for practical tips on leadership in the veterinary profession and creating a w...
Jun 05, 2024•41 min•Ep. 98
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 optimizing practice efficiency, allowing veterinarians to focus on their primary functions and enhancing o...
May 01, 2024•51 min•Ep. 97
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 rehearsing trigger scenarios and practicing how to respond calmly and collectedly. By visualizing poten...
Apr 10, 2024•31 min•Ep. 96
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 emotional journey. A homecoming of sorts… more on that in the episode. If you are thinking about doi...
Mar 27, 2024•28 min•Ep. 95
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 reality. By embracing facts, we can impartially dissect what went wrong without amplifying unwarrante...
Mar 13, 2024•21 min•Ep. 94
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: Representation Matters Dr. Clement stresses that the veterinary profession is predominantly female, undersco...
Mar 06, 2024•25 min•Ep. 93
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 energy levels and recognizing the cyclical nature of energy is important. Understanding that there a...
Feb 14, 2024•23 min•Ep. 92
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 with students and empowers veterinary practice owners and managers to become effective leaders. Tune in...
Dec 13, 2023•12 min•Ep. 91
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 listen...
Dec 06, 2023•22 min•Ep. 90
Episode Description In this week’s Veterinary Leadership Success Show podcast, Dr. Dave is joined by Dr. Saye Clement as they discuss the significance of self-awareness as a crucial trait for effective leadership. Dr. Saye also compares self-awareness to building muscle at the gym, stating that it is a skill that can be developed and improved upon. While some individuals may have a natural inclination towards self-awareness, Dr. Saye suggests that everyone can work on enhancing this trait. Furth...
Nov 15, 2023•26 min•Ep. 89
Episode Description Welcome to the Veterinary Leadership Success podcast, hosted by Dr. Dave Nicol, a veterinarian and seasoned leadership expert. In this week's insightful episode, Dr. Dave draws parallels between the challenges faced in competitive triathlons and the world of veterinary practice management. This gripping episode delves into the valuable lessons learned from a season spent as a competitive triathlete and how these lessons are applicable to the landscape of veterinary team leade...
Nov 08, 2023•26 min•Ep. 88
Episode Description Welcome to the Veterinary Leadership Success Podcast, where Dr. Dave Nicol, a veterinarian and leadership expert, takes you on a journey of insights and practical tips in veterinary team leadership. In this dynamic and engaging episode titled "Lessons from the Triathlon: Part 1," Dr. Dave shares a captivating narrative based on his personal experience competing in a triathlon and the invaluable lessons he's learned along the way. Throughout this episode, Dr. Dave candidly dis...
Nov 01, 2023•19 min•Ep. 87
