124: What Happened to Mentorship in Vet Med? with Dr. Robin Hargreaves

This week, we’re asking the big question - what happened to mentorship in vet med?

To help me figure it out, I’m joined by Dr. Robin Hargreaves - former BVA President, lifelong mixed practitioner, and a man who’s spent nearly 40 years mentoring vets, leading teams, and keeping his sense of humour intact (which, frankly, might be his greatest achievement).

Robin grew up on a hill farm in the Yorkshire Dales, built and ran a four-site, 50-person independent practice, and has seen the profession evolve from handwritten records to AI tools that still can’t spell “lab retriever.” He’s known for his straight talk, northern grit, and deep care for the people coming up behind him.

In this episode, we dig into how mentorship quietly disappeared, why it matters more than ever, and how we can bring it back - stronger, wiser, and a lot less formal than you’d think.

So grab a brew, tune in, and let’s talk about how to keep wisdom alive in vet med.

Episode Outline

[00:03] – Meet Robin Hargreaves

[04:14] – One broken arm, one life-long career

[07:51] – Why tough years become good stories

[09:55] – Where is mentorship in vet med?

[12:05] – Why we MUST share wisdom

[15:25] – A new kind of mentorship for today

[17:30] – Three lessons every leader needs

[18:23] – Stop defending. Start listening.

[21:10] – When to stop leading

[23:01] – Being smart isn’t everything

[25:11] – How consistency builds trust

Connect with Robin Hargreaves:

LinkedIn: Robin Hargreaves, BVSc MRCVS

Instagram (bird photography & life wisdom): @robinhargreaves

Follow Dr. Dave Nicol for More Leadership Insights:Follow: @drdavenicolLearn more about Veterinary Leadership Training: Veterinary Leadership Academy

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