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 tomorrows.

If you’ve ever found yourself delaying important decisions, holding off on essential conversations, or postponing dreams for "someday," this episode offers a timely nudge to re-evaluate what really matters—and to take action now.

Episode Outline:

[00:00] – Reflections from a Life Well Lived

[02:15] – Business as a Force for Good: Why It Matters

[04:40] – Escaping the Zero-Sum Game Mindset in Veterinary Practice

[05:55] – Why the People You Work With Matter More Than You Think

[07:10] – Building Teams That Energize, Not Drain

[08:00] – Do You Really Have Time? Facing Life’s Big Question

[09:00] – The Urgent Call to Act on What Truly Matters

Follow Dr. Dave Nicol for More Leadership Insights:

Follow Dave: @drdavenicol

Learn more about Veterinary Leadership Training: Veterinary Leadership Academy

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Leave a review on iTunes and share it with your veterinary colleagues!

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Are you finding it impossible to carve out time for leadership tasks in your veterinary practice? Do you feel like you’re always putting out fires instead of leading your team? You're not alone. Many practice owners face the challenge of balancing clinical work with the demands of leadership, often leaving little time to work on the business rather than just in it. The Veterinary Leadership Academy is here to help. Our program is designed specifically for busy practice owners like you. We teach you how to streamline your operations, delegate effectively, and make time for the leadership tasks that drive growth. With weekly group coaching sessions, you’ll get practical advice on managing your time and staying on track. The course is online, accredited, and ready for your application. Visit drdavenicol.com/veterinary-leadership-academy to learn more. Stop letting time slip away and start leading your practice with intention. Visit drdavenicol.com/veterinary-leadership-academy today.

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 and his team have built a powerful in-house certification program that’s giving his nurses real direction, satisfaction, and career momentum.

From ditching the 200-page ops manual to introducing 60+ micro-certifications tied directly to pay and performance, Mark shares exactly how his practice transformed learning into a dynamic, gamified system that’s increasing retention, boosting skill levels, and creating a culture of repeatable excellence.

If you want your team to love learning, feel empowered, and stick around for the long haul—this episode is a must-listen.

Episode Outline:

• [00:00] – Skills as Procedures
• [01:00] – Meet Dr. Mark Reeve: Second-gen vet and practice owner in Adelaide
• [03:20] – From James Herriot Roots to Modern Leadership
• [04:30] – The Problem: No CPD, no progression, high nurse attrition
• [05:50] – Enter Turn the Ship Around: A Navy-inspired pivot to career pathways
• [07:10] – Turning a Dusty Procedure Manual into 60+ Micro-Certificates
• [08:45] – Monthly Recognition, Mentorship, and Real Accountability
• [10:00] – Retention, Repeatability, and Pay Tied to Progress
• [11:45] – A Fairer, More Transparent Career Path (No More Tenure Bias)
• [14:00] – Going Beyond Basic Roles: Consulting, Clinics, Anesthesia & More
• [17:00] – The Impact on Training ROI & Vet Skill Uptake
• [20:00] – Curriculum Creation on the Fly—And Why Alpha Testing Works
• [25:30] – Certificates Built by Nurses, for Nurses
• [27:00] – Why Mark Doesn’t Worry About Recruitment Anymore
• [29:15] – Soft Skills, Client Care & Team Ownership
• [31:00] – Scaling Learning with ChatGPT & Automation (Future Vision)
• [34:30] – The Power of Procedural Thinking
• [36:30] – From Lip Service to Long-Term Success Plans
• [38:15] – “Everyone Comes Home”: How Mark Built an Alumni Culture
• [39:45] – Building a Pipeline from High School to Hospital Leadership

Resources:

Book Mentioned: Turn the Ship Around by David Marquet

Connect with Dr. Mark Reeve:

Tea Tree Gulley Veterinary Hospital: https://www.ttgvet.com.au

Dr. Mark Reeve on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-reeve-a3419068/

Follow Dr. Dave Nicol for More Leadership Insights:

Follow Dave: @drdavenicol

Learn more about Veterinary Leadership Training: Veterinary Leadership Academy

Enjoyed this episode?

Leave a review on iTunes and share it with your veterinary colleagues!

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Are you finding it impossible to carve out time for leadership tasks in your veterinary practice? Do you feel like you’re

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 about client behavior, and the powerful evidence that shows just how appreciated we really are by the public. If you’ve ever felt demoralized by one too many rude comments, this episode will reset your perspective and give you tools to build better client relationships.

Whether you’re a seasoned vet or new to practice, this episode will remind you why the way you connect with clients matters and what to do when it goes wrong.

Episode Outline:

[00:00] – "You’re Only in It for the Money"

[02:15] – Are Vets Really Overpaid? The Truth Behind the Money Myth

[04:40] – Clients Trust You More Than You Think (Here’s the Data)

[07:10] – What Breaks Trust: Small Failures, Big Consequences

[09:00] – They Won’t Say Yes if They Don’t Trust You

[10:45] – Soft Skills Are Core Skills—Build Them Into Your Practice

Follow Dr. Dave Nicol for More Leadership Insights:

Follow Dave: @drdavenicol

Learn more about Veterinary Leadership Training: Veterinary Leadership Academy

Enjoyed this episode?

Leave a review on iTunes and share it with your veterinary colleagues!

Mentioned in this episode:

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Is managing conflict and stress within your team becoming a daily struggle? Are strained relationships and unresolved tensions holding your veterinary practice back? For many practice owners, navigating the complexities of team dynamics can be overwhelming. Without the right skills, stress and conflict can quickly escalate, affecting your practice’s culture and performance. At the Veterinary Leadership Academy, we specialize in helping practice owners develop the skills to manage conflict and reduce stress. Our program will teach you effective communication strategies, how to handle difficult conversations, and ways to foster a positive, collaborative team environment. With weekly group coaching sessions, you’ll receive ongoing support to address these challenges head-on. The course is fully online, accredited, and open for applications now. Visit drdavenicol.com/veterinary-leadership-academy to apply today. Don’t let conflict and stress undermine your practice. Equip yourself with the tools to lead a harmonious, high-performing team. Visit drdavenicol.com/veterinary-leadership-academy now.