November 2024

In this VETgirl online veterinary continuing education blog, guest blogger Randy Hall, Leadership Coach, Founder & CEO of VetLead, discusses the principles of developing and maintaining self-leadership in a demanding veterinary world. Learning self-leadership in the veterinary profession involves developing strategies for work-life harmony, coping, resilience, and habits to thrive in a demanding field.

Self-Leadership in a Demanding Veterinary World

The veterinary field is rewarding yet demanding, pushing leaders to help others grow while keeping up with personal and professional challenges. While we’re often focused on making our teams and clients happier, more effective, and more successful, we sometimes overlook ourselves in this pursuit. Self-leadership, the ability to lead ourselves with intentional choices and habits, is the foundation for thriving in such a high-pressure environment.

Seek Work-Life Harmony Over Balance

Many people aim for a “work-life balance,” but this approach can set us up for disappointment. In a busy veterinary world, work often takes a significant portion of our day. Instead, embrace the idea of “work-life harmony“—the concept of bringing work and personal life together in ways that fulfill us. Work doesn’t have to be at odds with our personal goals; in fact, it can offer meaning, growth, and even joy if we seek out these elements.

To create this harmony, take a moment to identify what you want most from both work and life. Is it growth, meaningful relationships, a sense of accomplishment, or perhaps a feeling of purpose? Make these priorities visible in both spheres of your life. With the right focus, your veterinary practice can become a source of fulfillment, not just something you get through to enjoy “real life” afterward.

Coping with Stress in Your Veterinary Practice

Of course, even with harmony, stress is an inevitable part of the veterinary profession. While we can’t always control what happens during a shift, we can control how we respond. Developing effective coping strategies is key to self-leadership.

  • Recharge: When energy is low, find small ways to recharge. Maybe it’s a walk, listening to music, or connecting with a friend. Even small recharge activities build resilience and make a big difference in how we feel.
  • Reframe: Reframing is about changing how we view a situation. Maybe a challenging client interaction is really an opportunity to practice patience, or a long day offers a chance to connect with your team. Reframing helps us focus on the positives and find meaning, even in tough moments.

Not all coping strategies are helpful. Venting or escaping—like binge-watching TV or spending hours on social media—may seem like ways to de-stress, but they often keep us stuck. Instead, try balancing relaxing with recharging activities that genuinely support you.

The Three Pillars of Self-Leadership

Once we start managing stress, the next step is to lead ourselves intentionally. In self-leadership, three key areas are planning, scheduling, and choosing.

  1. Planning: Self-leadership starts with a plan. Identify small goals, whether it’s setting up your workday or preparing for that tough conversation with a client. Planning goes beyond big aspirations—it’s about small, achievable steps. When we know what we want to accomplish, even small goals can make the day feel meaningful.
  2. Scheduling: Once goals are set, schedule them in. Scheduling isn’t just for appointments; it’s a way to prioritize yourself. Schedule time for recharging, practicing new skills, and even discovering new insights. By making these activities a regular part of your schedule, you’re more likely to commit to self-care and growth as a habit.
  3. Choosing: Self-leadership means choosing how we want to show up. This involves deciding on the mindset we bring to each interaction. When tough situations arise, how do you want to respond? Making these choices—about perspective, impact, and responses—moves us away from reaction and toward purpose-driven action.

Building Habits for Lasting Change

As you begin planning, scheduling, and choosing how you lead yourself, one thing becomes clear: habits are powerful allies. Habits become automatic over time, requiring less effort to maintain. Self-leadership means building habits that support your goals.

Start with small actions. Rather than aiming to “be a better leader,” focus on one habit that can make a difference. It could be starting each morning with five minutes of quiet planning or using a weekly check-in with your team as a time to celebrate small successes. If you want to build a new habit, think about the starting trigger—the first step that makes it easy to get going.

Habits build on each other, creating a foundation for lasting change. The more we repeat positive actions, the more they reinforce our mindset and confidence.

Using Reflective Questions to Lead Yourself Well

With helpful habits established, self-reflection becomes even more valuable. Asking the right questions can be a powerful tool for growth and focus. Reflective questions help us connect with our goals and maintain a positive mindset. Here are a few examples:

  • What’s my definition of success today? This helps align your day with your values and priorities.
  • What can I do to stay at my best? By identifying small actions, you create a more fulfilling day for yourself and others.
  • What do my teammates or the animals need from me today? Viewing yourself from others’ perspectives builds empathy and connection.

These types of questions encourage self-reflection and keep you grounded, even in a busy practice.

Resilience: A Story of Perseverance

Resilience isn’t about never feeling challenged; it’s about moving forward anyway. Consider Misty Diaz, an athlete with spina bifida who has completed over two hundred grueling Spartan races. Her approach to resilience is unique: when self-doubt strikes, she doesn’t fight it with force. Instead, she negotiates with herself to get through each obstacle one at a time. “I’ll finish this one, then I can quit,” she tells herself—and by the end, she’s often completed the entire race.

In the veterinary world, resilience can mean taking on challenges one day, one hour, or even one interaction at a time. We may face difficult clients, long days, or unexpected situations, but by breaking down the challenges into small parts and showing up one step at a time, we build our resilience.

Creating a Sustainable Future through Self-Leadership

Remember, self-leadership isn’t a quick fix; it’s a commitment to consistently choosing how we want to lead our own lives. By building small habits, recharging when needed, and making purposeful choices, we create a future that’s not only sustainable but also fulfilling.

In a demanding field like veterinary medicine, self-leadership is our path to thriving rather than just surviving. Embrace the chance to lead yourself, one choice at a time, and discover how it transforms you both in and outside of your practice.

Download the reflection question resource HERE.


Randy Hall VetLead

Author Bio:
Randy Hall, Founder & CEO, VetLead
Randy spent over 15 years of his career in the animal health industry. Since founding his consulting business in 2009, he has worked with thousands of veterinary hospital leaders and staff members to help them capture their full potential of their own veterinary practices.

This VETgirl online veterinary continuing education blog is written by VetLead. Please note the opinions in this blog are the expressed opinion of the author(s), and not directly endorsed by VETgirl.

Only VETgirl members can leave comments. Sign In or Join VETgirl now!