The Veterinary Leadership Success Show

Hosted by By Dr Dave Nicol

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138

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Short conversations with smart people with good ideas to help you run your veterinary practice more effectively. Each month, your host, Dr. Dave Nicol, puts a subject of importance to practice managers under the microscope with a subject matter expert to help you grapple with real-life management problems. Loosely arranged around the topics required to complete the CVPM, this show will help you with ideas and inspiration to take on some of the big problems and opportunities we all face in veterinary medicine.

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June 10, 202619 min

138: The 11 Numbers That Matter Most in Veterinary Practice

When everything feels urgent, how do you know what to tackle first?It's something I've wrestled with throughout my career as a practice owner.There's always another problem demanding attention. A staffing issue. An unhappy client. A dip in revenue. A packed diary. A team disagreement.The temptation is to fight the loudest fire.But the loudest fire isn't always the most important one.In this episode, I share the 11 numbers I use to understand what's really happening inside a practice. Because when you can see the signals clearly, you stop reacting to symptoms and start fixing the causes.And that's important because this isn't really about numbers.It's about creating more clarity, more confidence, and less stress in the way you lead.When you understand what's happening inside your practice, you make better decisions, build stronger teams, and create the space to focus on what matters most: building a remarkable practice at the heart of your community.Episode Outline:[00:00] Is your practice working?[02:20] The Practice Value Chain[05:15] The 11 numbers that matter[08:00] Happy clients, healthy teams[10:20] What your numbers are telling you[13:00] Why meetings become reactive[14:30] Signals vs symptoms[15:20] Stop guessing and start leadingWant to See the Signals in Your Own Practice?For years, I ran my practices using spreadsheets. That's why I built VetDash.In just a few minutes, VetDash turns your key practice metrics into a simple dashboard that helps you spot problems earlier, identify opportunities faster, and focus on the numbers that matter most.Start your free 30-day trial and see what's really happening inside your practice.Follow Dr. Dave Nicol for More Leadership Insights:Follow Dr. Dave: @drdavenicolLearn more about the Veterinary Leadership AcademyEnjoyed this episode?Leave a review on iTunes and share it with your veterinary colleagues!

May 27, 202618 min

137: Flying the Spitfire & Why Great Veterinary Practices Never Feel Generic

The best veterinary practices are not remembered because of their ultrasound machine.They are remembered because of how they make people feel.There’s an energy to remarkable practices. A personality. A story. A sense of identity that clients trust and teams rally behind.And yet most practices completely overlook one of the most powerful tools they have to shape that perception: design.In this episode, I explore why branding is really about storytelling, meaning and emotional connection - and why the practices that win attention in the future will be the ones bold enough to stand apart.Using the story of the legendary Spitfire aircraft - and my own recent experience flying one - I unpack why some things become iconic while others are forgotten. Why beauty, emotion and storytelling matter. And why the practices that stand out in today’s veterinary market are the ones brave enough to express who they really are.We explore how great branding creates differentiation, strengthens culture, attracts the right people, and reinforces the story your practice is trying to tell every single day.Because your culture is what people feel. Your operations are what people experience. But your brand? Your brand is the visual language that makes the whole thing memorable.Episode Outline:[00:00] - Why we remember the Spitfire[02:22] - Why branding matters[05:12] - Flying a Spitfire[06:26] - Emotion creates memory[08:15] - Why icons survive[09:19] - The branding mistake[10:23] - Culture, operations & design[11:07] - What great brands do[12:14] - The danger of clichés[12:38] - What great designers do[13:42] - Brands done well[14:22] - Investing in distinctionResources & Links MentionedWant help refining your practice vision, culture or brand positioning? The Veterinary Leadership Academy can help you clarify the story your practice is telling - and whether your brand truly reflects it.Learn more about our brand services:https://www.drdavenicol.com/brand-designExplore the Veterinary Leadership Academy:https://www.drdavenicol.com/veterinary-leadership-academyFollow Dr Dave Nicol for daily leadership insights, veterinary business strategy and practical tools for leading a thriving practice.Enjoyed this episode?Leave us a review on iTunes and share this episode with another veterinary leader who wants their practice to stand out for all the right reasons.

March 18, 202638 min

136: Know Your Numbers (Without Losing Your Mind) with Martin Traub-Werner

This week’s episode is about something most practice owners avoid… until it starts keeping them awake at night.The numbers.I’m joined by Martin Traub-Werner, founder of VetBooks and VetSuccess, who has spent years helping practices understand what their financials are really saying.We get into a simple but uncomfortable truth. Most owners don’t really know their numbers. Not in a way that gives them clarity or confidence. And when that’s the case, the business starts to feel heavier than it should.As Martin puts it, there’s no substitute for knowing your numbers.Because this isn’t really about finance. It’s about visibility. Most practices are not struggling through lack of effort. They are struggling because they can’t clearly see what is happening inside the business. And when you can’t see it, decision-making becomes harder, second-guessing creeps in, and leadership starts to feel like a weight you’re carrying rather than a role you’re leading.What we talk about in this episode is how that changes. When the key parts of the business are working together and your numbers are visible and understood, the experience of running a practice becomes more stable, more predictable, and ultimately more enjoyable. Not because the work disappears, but because the system begins to carry more of the load and your decisions have a clear direction.When you understand your numbers, you stop guessing and start deciding with intent. Over time, that shift replaces pressure with confidence and allows you to trust the practice you are building.If the numbers have ever felt like something you’d rather avoid, this is a good place to start.Episode Outline:[00:00] The numbers we avoid[04:50] Why most owners don’t know[09:00] The 5 financial buckets[13:00] Why vet businesses are complex[15:00] Cash vs reality[17:30] Flying blind financially[19:00] Reading your P&L[21:30] Focus on the big levers[24:00] Small % big impact[26:30] Using AI to analyse[31:00] Building a system you trust[33:30] Confidence and sleep[35:00] Final takeawaysWhy does leading your practice feel harder than it should?The Practice Growth Reflection is a short, 10-minute tool that shows you the stage your practice has reached and the leadership changes that can reduce pressure, strengthen your team, and help your practice run more smoothly.Start your Practice Growth Reflection and get instant clarity on what needs to evolve next.Follow Dr. Dave Nicol for More Leadership Insights:Follow Dr. Dave: @drdavenicolLearn more about the Veterinary Leadership AcademyConnect with Martin Traub-Werner:Website: vetbooks.comLinkedIn: Martin Traub-WernerEnjoyed this episode?Leave a review on iTunes and share it with your veterinary colleagues!DisclaimerThis episode is for educational purposes only and isn’t financial advice.

March 3, 202620 min

135: The Big D Leader in Veterinary Practice

A few weeks ago, I sat down with Dr Andy Roark and he dropped a line that lit up the internet:“You, my friend, are a dick.”His point was simple and uncomfortable. In veterinary medicine, one of the biggest career killers is being someone others simply do not want to work with. You might be clinically excellent. You might work hard. But if you consistently damage relationships, you quietly lose opportunities, influence and growth.The feedback to that episode was fascinating. Many of you agreed. Many pushed back, sharing stories of abrasive leaders who still climbed the ladder.So this week, I unpack it properly.I break leadership down into a series of “Big D” styles - Direct, Ditherer, Dreamer and Democrat - and explore how each one shapes the way we make decisions. We look at when directive leadership works and when it corrodes culture, why indecision is often a clarity problem, how conflict avoidance erodes trust, and why collaboration without ownership stalls progress.Underpinning it all is one core truth: leadership is decision-making.And great leaders are not defined by personality. They are defined by flexibility.So grab a coffee and join me for a practical conversation about leadership agility, self-awareness and choosing the right mode for the moment.Episode Outline:[00:00] Big D leaders in vet med[02:03] Is being a dick really a career killer?[03:14] The Direct leader – results vs relationships[05:40] The Ditherer – clarity before action[07:41] Dreamers – vision vs avoidance[11:28] The Democrat – collaboration and responsibility[15:52] Why data sharpens decisions[17:11] Leadership is about flexibilityBecome the Leader Your Team DeservesIf you want to sharpen your decision-making, build clarity around what good looks like, and develop the flexibility your team needs from you. Book a call with us at the Veterinary Leadership Academy.We’ll help you identify where you’re strong, where you’re stuck, and what to do next.Follow Dr. Dave Nicol for More Leadership Insights:Follow Dr. Dave: @drdavenicolLearn more about the Veterinary Leadership AcademyEnjoyed this episode?Leave a review on iTunes and share it with your veterinary colleagues!

February 16, 202635 min

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 enemiesReady 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_surgeonFollow Dr. Dave Nicol for More Leadership Insights:Instagram: @drdavenicolLearn more about leadership training: Veterinary Leadership AcademyEnjoyed this episode?Leave a review on Apple Podcasts and share it with a colleague who’s ready to bring the magic back to vet med.

February 4, 202622 min

133: Weak Graduates or Tired Owners? The Real Problem We’re Not Talking About

In this episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show, I’m responding to the reaction.Specifically, the wave of comments that followed a recent episode and social posts about a new graduate’s early experience in practice.If you saw the Instagram reel or Facebook video, you’ll know the conversation struck a nerve.Some comments were thoughtful and supportive. Others were angry, frustrated, and aimed squarely at “weak graduates”, falling standards, and a profession that feels like it’s under siege.Today, I want to slow that conversation down.Rather than adding to the noise, this episode looks beneath it, at the fatigue, the stretched systems, and the pressure that’s been building across the profession for a long time.We talk about grit, resilience, mentorship, and why toughness isn’t something people arrive with on day one. It’s something that gets built, or broken, by the environments we place them into.If you’re worried about standards, frustrated by how hard ownership has become, or quietly wondering whether the profession you love is changing in ways you don’t recognize, this is a conversation worth sitting with.Referenced Posts:Instagram reel:https://www.instagram.com/p/DTvXiAlCSZX/Facebook video:https://www.facebook.com/reel/1397139445528655Episode Outline:[00:00] – Why this conversation exploded[02:45] – Are graduates really the problem?[05:30] – The myth of “grit” at graduation[08:40] – Why our early careers weren’t the same[11:30] – When hard work turns into attrition[14:15] – Mentorship as leadership, not therapy[16:45] – The damage caused by sink or swim[18:30] – What high standards actually look like[20:00] – The responsibility owners still hold[21:45] – Building resilience the right wayFollow Dr. Dave Nicol for More Leadership Insights:Instagram: @drdavenicolLearn more about leadership training: Veterinary Leadership AcademyEnjoyed this episode?If this episode made you pause or reflect, I’d really appreciate you leaving a review on iTunes and sharing it with someone else in the profession. These conversations matter – and how we handle them shapes what comes next.Be safe. Be well. And take care of each other.

January 20, 202633 min

132: A Better Future for New Grads and Vet Med - Guiding, Not Grinding (Part 2 of 2)

Part 1 laid bare what happens when well-meaning practices ask too much, too soon, without the systems to support it.In this second conversation, we deliberately turn the lens the other way.I’m joined by Dr. Moriah McCauley, a veterinarian now five years into practice, who shares what it looks like when graduate support is done well – thoughtfully, deliberately, and humanely.Moriah’s story matters because it shows what’s possible. She’s still in the same practice five years on, not through resilience alone, but because the system around her was built for success from day one.Together we talk about what attracted her to the role in the first place, how expectations were clarified early, and why mentorship is not a single person or a buzzword, but a culture. One that includes planned progression, real availability, psychological safety, and permission to be human when life gets complicated.This episode explores the practical reality of guiding – not grinding – graduates. What it requires from leaders. What it asks of graduates. And why, done properly, it creates loyalty, competence, confidence, and long-term value for everyone involved.This conversation forms the second half of a two-part series and sits alongside the session I’ll be delivering at VMX 2026: Guiding, Not Grinding.Episode Outline:[00:01] – Why this conversation matters[02:00] – Meet Dr. Moriah[04:30] – Choosing a first practice[07:00] – Spotting a culture of mentorship[09:30] – Gut instinct and psychological safety[12:00] – Setting expectations early[15:00] – What good mentorship looks like[17:30] – Being supported through hard moments[21:00] – The cost of investing in graduates[24:30] – Return on investment, done properly[27:00] – Learning the hardest skill: communication[30:30] – Why Moriah stayed[32:30] – What leaders need to hear nextFollow Dr Dave Nicol:Instagram: @drdavenicolLearn more about leadership support and training: Veterinary Leadership AcademySee more from Dr. Moriah McCauley: https://www.instagram.com/dr.moriah.mccauleyConnect with Dr. Moriah McCauley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moriah-mccauleyEnjoyed the episode?Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. These conversations matter, and sharing them helps move our profession forward.

January 20, 202646 min

131: Hope, Pressure, and the First Year in Vet Practice - Grinding, Not Guiding (Part 1 of 2)

The first year in practice should not decide whether someone stays in veterinary medicine. But too often, it does.In this episode, I’m joined by Dr Hope Darnell, a recent graduate who shares a clear-eyed account of what her first year in practice was really like.Hope stepped into her first role with the things good graduates bring - commitment, curiosity, and a genuine desire to do the job well. On paper, the support was there. Experienced vets. A capable team. Reassurance that help was available.Then reality hit.Within weeks, Hope was carrying a heavy clinical load, managing complex cases and new clients back to back, and covering the practice alone far earlier than she should have been. Emergencies, surgery, on-call work, and quietly absorbing management tasks as gaps appeared. All on top of a full caseload.Without bad intent, guiding turned into grinding.This story is not unusual. Practices are stretched. Mentorship is inconsistent. Time is scarce. Many teams want to do the right thing, but lack the structure or capacity to truly support early-career vets.What matters is this. Despite everything, Hope chose to stay.She stayed because she still believes in the work, the profession, and the possibility that we can do better. That belief places responsibility on those of us in leadership to build environments where graduates can grow safely, not burn out quietly.If we get this right, we don’t just protect graduates – we strengthen our practices and safeguard the future of veterinary medicine.This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation and forms the foundation of a session I’ll be delivering at VMX 2026, Guiding, Not Grinding. In Part 2, we move into practical solutions for supporting graduates, and the future of veterinary medicine, more effectively.Episode Outline:[00:02] – Meet Dr. Hope[05:00] – Picking a first job[09:00] – Support that looked solid[12:00] – Trying to practise good medicine[14:00] – Taking on more and more[18:30] – Being left on your own[20:00] – The day it all collided[24:00] – Still working, but not coping[26:00] – When numbness sets in[31:00] – What new grads really need[35:00] – The “unicorn vet” problem[39:00] – Is your practice ready for a graduate?[43:00] – Why mentorship matters[45:00] – Why Dr Hope stayed in vet medicineFollow Dr Dave Nicol:Instagram: @drdavenicolLearn more about leadership support and training: Veterinary Leadership AcademyConnect with Dr Hope Darnelle:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hope-darnell-dvm-b53054214/Enjoyed the episode?Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. These conversations matter, and sharing them helps move our profession forward.

January 14, 202629 min

130: Finding New Purpose After 30 Years in Vet Med with Dr. Jay Thrush

What happens when a seasoned vet with 30 years of experience decides to start again, but this time builds exactly the practice he wishes existed?In this week’s Veterinary Leadership Success Show, I sit down with my good friend, Dr. Jay Thrush, co-owner of Forty Creek Animal Hospital in Ontario. Jay is one of the calmest, kindest humans you’ll ever meet, the definition of still waters running deep, and what he and Lisa have created together is nothing short of remarkable.Jay talks openly about version two of his veterinary career. The part where he leaves behind the cookie cutter model, the metrics for the sake of metrics mindset, and the keep up at all costs pace, and starts designing a clinic with intention.A space built for connection.A team chosen for values, not CVs.A culture shaped by psychological safety, empathy, and genuine human care.We dive into the journey, the mistakes, the magic, and the surprising emotional yield that comes from building a practice around purpose instead of pressure. If you have ever wondered what it might look like to create a clinic that feels like home for pets, clients, and your team, this conversation will light a spark.Grab a coffee and settle in. Jay brings wisdom, warmth, and a reminder that leadership gets really interesting when you decide to do things differently.Episode Outline[00:00] Comfort by design [01:10] Version two energy [03:38] Letting the old model go [06:17] Connection at the core [07:49] What clients feel first [09:35] Choosing people who fit [11:03] A clinic that feels like home [13:32] New, special and different [15:24] Real psychological safety [17:36] Signs your culture works [19:54] Early systems and learning [22:21] Building what truly matters [24:05] The gift of good exhaustion [25:49] Staying human as you growConnect with Dr. Jay ThrushForty Creek Animal Hospital ( 40creekvets.com ) Instagram: @fortycreekvets Follow Dr. Dave Nicol for More Leadership InsightsFollow: @drdavenicolLearn more about Veterinary Leadership Training: Veterinary Leadership AcademyEnjoyed the episode?Leave a review on iTunes and share it with your colleagues in vet med.

December 16, 202528 min

129: How to Create Lasting Change in Your Vet Practice

Most leaders want change to be quick and clean. A few tweaks. A new policy. A better week.But meaningful change – the kind that transforms culture, steadies the ship, and creates a practice you actually love leading – follows a very different rhythm.In this episode, Oli and I dig into the truth about change. Why overwhelm is a diagnostic, not a character flaw. Why burnout often signals a system problem rather than a personal one. And why rebuilding culture is more like farming than fighting.We explore the emotional, financial and cultural yields your practice should produce, how to diagnose what’s really driving your stress, and why the first brave step is often removing the wrong person, not adding a new one.You will learn practical ways to create immediate relief, the long term strategy for sustainable transformation, and why community support acts as a stabilising wall while you do the real work of leadership.Change is not instant. But there is a path. And when you follow it with intention, the remarkable vet practice you build will give back far more than it takes.Episode Outline:[01:05] – Why change hurts more than it should[03:45] – Burnout isn’t personal, it’s systemic[06:37] – Culture is the soil everything grows in[08:14] – Who should stay on your team – and who shouldn’t[10:28] – Rebuilding from the core, not the surface[12:03] – Why resistance shows up when standards rise[14:49] – Why meaningful change takes a season[16:20] – Finding relief before real change begins[19:28] – Skills can be replaced, attitudes can’t[21:47] – When work becomes an emotional drain[23:04] – Someone has to own the culture[23:46] – Why community stabilises leaders[24:34] – The clearest path forwardResources & Links MentionedNeed clarity on what needs to change? Book a diagnostic call with Oliver at the Veterinary Leadership Academy and let us walk you through your next steps.Download the Leadership Actions Study – practical steps to help you lead with clarity today.https://calendly.com/oliver-vetx/grow-your-vet-practice-1-1-discovery-callExplore our leadership courses – build the skills to create a culture your team loves being part of.Follow Dr Dave Nicol for daily leadership insights and practical tools for running a thriving veterinary practice.Enjoyed this episode?Leave us a review on iTunes and share it with your colleagues in vet med. 