134: Rethinking “Difficult” Clients with Dr. Seth Mathus Ganz

This week, we’re asking a question that’s been rumbling under the surface of vet med for far too long: Are clients really the problem, or have we lost our grip on what’s actually going wrong?

To tackle this, I’m joined by Dr Seth Mathus Ganz, a board-certified small animal surgeon and founder of Agile Veterinary Surgery, who brings a rare perspective from working inside hundreds of practices. Seth has spent over a decade performing advanced procedures, mentoring vets, and observing what helps teams thrive - and what quietly holds them back.

Together, we look at the stories we tell ourselves about clients, discomfort, and growth, and how those stories shape our daily experience of the job. Seth offers a surgeon’s-eye view on why confidence and trust are built, not demanded - and how leaning into the right kind of challenge helps us grow skill, self-belief, and professional satisfaction.

We talk about feedback loops, compounding habits, and the long game of mastery - the kind that makes veterinary work feel meaningful, energising, and sustainable again.

So grab a coffee, take a breath, and join us for a thoughtful conversation about how we can build a healthier, more fulfilling future for vet med - one decision at a time.

Episode Outline:

[00:00] Clients as “the enemy”

[02:29] A surgeon’s front-row view

[04:03] The vet–client war story

[06:43] The victim mindset problem

[07:47] How “difficult” clients are made

[08:57] Avoiding discomfort blocks growth

[11:18] Two kinds of resistance

[14:42] Losing the magic of the job

[17:27] Growth compounds or stalls

[26:01] Why having a plan matters

[30:50] Clients as mirrors, not enemies

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’re ready to turn insight into action, book a call with us at the Veterinary Leadership Academy. We’ll help you clarify what’s in the way and define your next move. Book your call here.

Connect with Dr. Seth Mathus Ganz:

Instagram: @ask_a_veterinary_surgeon

Follow Dr. Dave Nicol for More Leadership Insights:

Instagram: @drdavenicol

Learn more about leadership training: Veterinary Leadership Academy

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