VETgirl spotlights influence with practice leadership
CURRENT BRIEF VERSION: VETgirl’s latest practice management podcast turns away from clinical CE and toward workplace influence, with Dr. Justine Lee interviewing leadership coach Randy Hall, founder and CEO of VetLead, on how veterinary team members can build more influence with upper management in a responsible, respectful way. The episode, published January 7, 2026, is the third in a four-part series focused on workplace dynamics, career growth for veterinary technicians, and improving practice culture. In the episode summary, Hall frames a common problem from both directions: team members may feel owners or administrators are not listening, while leaders often say the same about managers. His starting point is practical—listening usually happens when practices create a space, vehicle, or process for it, such as regular check-ins with clear expectations, rather than relying on people to stop midstream and absorb concerns on the fly. That framing matters because the conversation lands at a time when retention, team culture, and leadership quality remain central concerns across the profession. (music.amazon.com)
Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, the topic speaks to a practical gap in many hospitals: teams are often told to communicate better, but not always shown how to move ideas upward in a way leadership will hear. Recent AAHA reporting and technician utilization guidance point to caring leadership, teamwork, recognition, psychological safety, training, and clear communication as core drivers of retention and effective technician use. A 2025 Delphi study on burnout in veterinary nurses and technicians similarly identified poor leadership knowledge, weak team culture, and unclear communication as barriers, while highlighting communication, delegation, career pathways, and leadership improvements as high-value solutions. Hall’s emphasis on creating intentional forums for listening adds a concrete operational step to that broader conversation. In that context, a podcast about influencing management is less soft skills content than operational infrastructure for retention and team performance. (aaha.org)
What to watch: Watch for whether this series expands from individual communication tactics into measurable practice changes around regular manager-leader check-ins, clearer expectations for what gets discussed in those meetings, technician utilization, leadership training, and retention strategy. (music.amazon.com)