VETgirl podcast tackles influence with upper management
CURRENT BRIEF VERSION: VETgirl has published a new podcast episode focused on a familiar workplace challenge in veterinary medicine: how team members can responsibly and respectfully build influence with upper management. In the episode, Dr. Justine Lee interviews Randy Hall, leadership coach and founder/CEO of VetLead, as part of a four-part series on workplace communication and leadership aimed at helping veterinary technicians grow their careers and improve culture around them. The discussion centers on practical ways veterinary professionals can make their voices heard without escalating conflict, including a key point from Hall that listening usually happens when practices create real space for it through regular check-ins, meetings, and clear communication expectations, rather than expecting leaders to absorb concerns on the fly. (podchaser.com)
Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, this lands in a broader workforce conversation. AAHA’s retention research has found that teamwork, meaningful work, fair compensation, flexibility, and feeling appreciated are among the strongest drivers keeping people in practice, while leadership experts in veterinary settings increasingly emphasize engagement, communication, and involving teams in change rather than simply directing them. That makes influence skills more than a soft topic: they’re part of how practices surface concerns early, improve culture, and reduce disengagement. The VETgirl episode also adds a practical reminder that upward communication works better when teams and leaders intentionally create alignment instead of assuming the other side is not listening. (aaha.org)
What to watch: Expect more workforce education to focus on communication, leadership readiness, and practical culture-building as practices look for retention strategies beyond pay alone, especially training that helps supervisors and frontline staff use structured conversations instead of frustration-driven escalation. (aaha.org)