Insights on why chaos creeps into veterinary practices, and how to fix it.

Running a veterinary practice comes with no shortage of moving parts: patients, clients, team members, and an ever-changing list of daily fires to put out. In our recent webinar, The Leadership Blind Spot: Why Practice Chaos Happens, Dr. Dave Nicol unpacked why so many challenges stem from leadership itself, and how the right mindset shift can create a ripple effect of positive change.

From self-reflection to team alignment, here are the biggest takeaways from his talk.

“A staggering number of issues are self-inflicted unwittingly by the leader.”

This was Dr. Nicol’s first and perhaps most sobering point: chaos in the clinic often starts at the top. Leaders can unintentionally create bottlenecks, send mixed signals, or fail to address patterns that erode team morale.

The fix? Start by diagnosing yourself. As Dr. Nicol put it, “If your team isn’t working, let your assessment start by looking in the mirror. Chances are there will be some big wins staring you in the face.”

Too often, leaders address problems based on emotion rather than evidence. Dr. Nicol stressed the importance of looking for objective data to guide decisions, whether that’s performance metrics, workflow logs, or engagement surveys.

It’s not about proving who’s right or wrong, it’s about seeing clearly where your energy and resources will have the greatest impact.

“Good teams have leaders who consistently make decisions and act in alignment with the vision. Then support and get out of the way when the time is right.”

Leadership is about setting the direction and then trusting your team to run with it. Micromanagement stifles creativity and slows progress, empowerment accelerates it.

One of Dr. Nicol’s recurring themes was the power of authenticity.

“Be vulnerable. Ask for help when you need it. Say, ‘I don’t know the answer here sometimes — what do you think?’”

This openness not only builds trust but invites your team to contribute their best thinking, making the clinic stronger as a whole.

Dr. Nicol urged leaders to look for every opportunity to free themselves from repetitive tasks, whether by empowering capable team members or using tools like AI and automation.

“By delegating tasks to people and using automation or AI tools, you create massive amounts of time and value in your day.” Dr. Dave noted.

Feedback and recognition are cornerstones of a healthy culture. Dr. Nicol recommended balancing constructive feedback with plenty of positive reinforcement: “You earn the opportunity to give corrective feedback by giving plenty of supportive feedback as well. Never underestimate the awesomeness of a high-five, whether verbal or literal, it costs you nothing.”

“Never stop exploring your world and the problems it presents. Use the smarts you have to create solutions to those challenges. And try, with everything you have, to be the best version of yourself possible each day. Everyone deserves a leader who helps others to grow and cares deeply about the future for us all.”

Dr. Nicol recommends starting with a Strategic Leadership Scorecard to pinpoint what’s working, what’s not, and where your next steps should be. When you know exactly where to focus, you can make meaningful changes that ripple through your entire team.

Dr. Dave Nicol is a veterinary surgeon, business leader, and global speaker with over 20 years of experience in the profession. He has led multi-doctor teams, owned and managed four successful practices, and pioneered innovations in veterinary business. Passionate about helping vets, nurses, and leaders thrive, Dr. Nicol uses proven systems and frameworks to guide individuals and organizations toward success.

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