A blog for veterinarians

Fresh content and ideas for your veterinary practice

Are You a Better Leader Than a Second Grader?

When my son was in second grade, I attended a parent-teacher conference at his school. The teacher shared with me a new system they were using to evaluate the growth and performance of the kids. As I glanced over the…

3 Ways to Measure Leadership

Leadership

I started my independent consulting business, 4th Gear Consulting back in 2009 because I thought we needed more leaders. As I’ve worked with veterinary practices and teams, I continue to learn what is driving our collective lack of leaders. As…

The 8 Vectors of Organizational Change

Change

When I was in college, I initially wanted to be an engineer. I remember learning all about vectors in physics class. A vector is an arrow that represents direction and force. As I work with practices to help them manage…

If You Want People to Change, Buy Them a Cup of Coffee

Change

I visited a Starbucks recently, which I don’t do often. But I was on my way to a practice and thought I would get coffee for my ride. As I pulled up to pay for my coffee at the drive-through…

Veterinarian using computer at desk in clinic

It’s Time to Change the Way We Change

Change

There is a common theme that we see in veterinary practices today. Change. Change is hard and always happening. Often we change too much and too fast. We don’t leave time for one change to stick before we mix it…

If You Want to Change Your Practice, Start With These 3 Steps

Change

Most of my work focuses on helping practices go from where they are to where they want to be. I always work hard to make sure that the changes I assist practices with are sustainable. This means that the leaders…

Young Female Veterinarian With Clipboard

3 Things to Remember When Leading Change

Change

A lot of the work that I do with veterinary practices revolves around helping them manage change. If a hospital plans to be successful for longer than a month or two, change will be necessary at some point. One of…

Vet and assistant examining dog with stethoscope

Becoming a Better Coach: The Journey Happens at Their Pace

Coaching

This article is part five of a five part series about coaching. Each part explores a different element of what it takes to be an effective coach. Learn how to empower your team to help them accomplish more than they…

Becoming a Better Coach – Have More Faith Than They Do

Coaching

This article is part four of a five part series about coaching. Each part explores a different element of what it takes to be an effective coach. Learn how to empower your team to help them accomplish more than they…

Becoming a Better Coach – Understanding and Setting Goals

Coaching

This article is part three of a five part series about coaching. Each part explores a different element of what it takes to be an effective coach. Learn how to empower your team to help them accomplish more than they…

Two young women talking and laughing in office

Becoming a Better Coach – Creating Capability

Coaching

This article is part two of a five part series about coaching. Each part explores a different element of what it takes to be an effective coach. Learn how to empower your team to help them accomplish more than they…

Becoming a Better Coach – Making It About Your Team

Coaching

This article is part one of a five part series about coaching. Each part explores a different element of what it takes to be an effective coach. Learn how to empower your team to help them accomplish more than they…