Developing confidence in leadership

Debbie Robinson is the founder and director of Vetnetics, a consultancy on a mission to support veterinary practices with practical coaching and training that really works. With a background in building and growing successful businesses, Debbie brings a wealth of hands-on experience and a genuine passion for helping veterinary practices and their teams thrive. She’s especially focused on developing leadership skills, building positive workplace cultures, and helping vet practices achieve financially sustainability. Debbie has also created The Leadership Hub app and community to make leadership development more accessible and affordable for busy veterinary professionals who want to grow, connect, and lead with confidence.

We caught up with Debbie to find out about how we can develop into more confident veterinary leaders.

How did your interest in mentoring and coaching develop?

As an IT business owner and Sales Director, I collaborated with coaches to help build my sales team’s confidence and transition to value-based selling. Coaching had a positive impact on the team’s mindset, leading to better performance and increased confidence and motivation. After selling the IT company, I obtained formal qualifications in coaching and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and leadership to assist sales professionals in managing the pressures and challenges of their industry.

What is it about the veterinary industry that you find so compelling?

As a Growth Accelerator practitioner with Gov.UK, I was recruited by a veterinary consulting company in 2015 to advise veterinary practices. Despite my lack of clinical experience, practice owners valued my business knowledge, fresh perspective and commitment to their growth.

My experience in the veterinary sector has been transformative. Over the years, I have worked with numerous practice leaders who have become valuable professional contacts that have helped me understand the dynamics within veterinary practices. I am constantly amazed by the passion and dedication that veterinary professionals bring to their work. Their commitment to animal health and welfare is inspiring and underscores the need for strong leadership to ensure effective and sustainable business practices.

There is still a significant journey ahead as the profession navigates the evolving landscape of veterinary care. The shift towards more holistic and contextualised care approaches to animal health, the increasing importance of mental wellness for veterinary professionals and the need for innovative business approaches are challenges that practice leaders face today. By fostering a culture of continuous improvement, learning and development and leveraging the unique strengths of each team member, veterinary practices can thrive. Leadership is a key factor in building successful and harmonious veterinary teams.

Why is leadership an important topic for the vet professions?

Leadership is all about supporting and guiding people, enhancing workplace environments, recognising and valuing individuals, fostering autonomy and accountability and shaping good practices. It is a strategic decision that plays a vital role in the success of any practice.

Is there a reason so many of us lack confidence in leadership?

It’s easy to see why clinical CPD often takes priority over non-clinical CPD. But good leadership is super important for success in every veterinary practice.

The challenges facing veterinary professionals, especially when it comes to leadership development, have a significant impact on women. Since women make up a large part of the veterinary workforce, the demands of the job can often clash with family responsibilities. This balancing act can make it tough for women to find time for non-clinical CPD and leadership training.

I created The Leadership Hub app because I kept seeing the same challenges come up for women in vet practices – limited time, lots of pressure and not a lot of flexible support for developing leadership skills. The app is something you can dip into when it suits you, whether that’s between consults or whilst you’re preparing dinner. It’s all about making leadership growth doable, not overwhelming.

By prioritising leadership development and creating a culture of continuous learning and support, the profession can ensure that women, alongside their male colleagues, have the opportunity to thrive as confident and effective leaders. This in turn, leads to better patient care, a more harmonious workplace environment and stronger, more resilient people.

How can we support leadership development in the veterinary sector?

To tackle the issue of weak leadership focus in the veterinary field, it’s vital to highlight the importance of non-clinical CPD alongside clinical training. This change in thinking needs a flexible approach to leadership development, making sure team leaders have the right skills to lead well.

To facilitate this, I also run training programs for veterinary team leads, covering things like tackling tricky conversations, personal productivity, team dynamics and building confidence. We keep it practical and conversational and there’s a mix of workshops, coaching and casual ‘Munch & Learn’ sessions. Nothing fancy, just real support for people who want to lead well and look after their team.

Creating a supportive and inclusive work culture is key. Encouraging open chats and feedback opportunities makes team members feel valued and heard. Investing in leadership development doesn’t just help those involved but also boosts the overall success and financial sustainability of the practice. Good leaders can inspire and influence their teams, leading to better patient care and a happier work environment.

By making leadership training a priority and fostering a culture that supports learning and growth, the profession can tackle the issues of weak leadership focus. This will help veterinary professionals become not just skilled clinicians, but also confident leaders, guiding their practices towards ongoing success.

What can we do ourselves to develop our leadership skills?

Building leadership skills is a journey that doesn’t end, and you can do a lot to improve, whether you’re a leader or not.

One way is to start is by reflecting on your actions and asking for feedback. By regularly checking in on how you’re doing and getting constructive tips from peers and mentors, you can spot areas to work on and get even better at what you’re already good at.

It’s also crucial to keep learning. Read leadership books, attend workshops, take online courses or join The Leadership Hub app’s growing community to gain valuable insights and fresh perspectives on effective leadership.

Getting good at communication is super important. Practice really listening, saying what you mean clearly and simply, and being open to different opinions. This can help you lead and work well with others.

Networking with other professionals and leaders can provide additional support and inspiration. Joining professional associations like BVNA, SPVS, BVA, VMG, etc, attending congresses and participating in community events can create opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals and learn from their experiences.

Lead by example by showing commitment to excellence, integrity and empathy in everything you do. Leadership is about influencing and guiding through actions and attitudes, not just having the title.

By including these practices, you can keep improving your leadership skills and positively impact your team relationship, even if you’re not in a formal leadership role.

Have you got any tips or tricks for a quick confidence boost?

There are many things you can do to boost your confidence, but you do need to stick at them, this is not a one-day thing:

Try positive affirmations: Quieten your negative ‘mind chatter’ by saying to yourself things like “I’ve got this!” or “I’m a capable leader.”

Visualisation: This really does work if you practice – imagine yourself nailing it. Picture how you’d act and respond with confidence. Recall a time when you felt confident. When you need that confidence boost, remember your visualisations, breath and go and ace it!

I use breathing exercises a lot: Take deep, slow breaths to calm your nerves. Try breathing in for four counts, hold for four, and exhale for four, breathe in for four and repeat.

Celebrate small wins: Give yourself a pat on the back for even the little things. Keep a journal, capture positive feedback, compliments, etc. I call this my ‘rainy-day pocket’. It helps build confidence over time.

Reach out for support: It’s ok to show vulnerability. Chat with a trusted friend or a coach /mentor for a quick boost and some encouragement.

What are your top three pieces of advice for new leaders?

Set expectations: One of the hardest transitions to leadership is suddenly being a leader of your work colleagues and friends. Have a discussion. Be clear about your expectations and goals and ask what theirs are of you.

Ask questions: You don’t have all the answers. Be curious, and seek ideas, suggestions and solutions to problems from your team.

Listen actively: Pay attention to what your team is saying. Respect their ideas and concerns and use what you learn to make better decisions and build stronger relationships.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Leadership is like a rollercoaster ride, full of unexpected twists and turns. Effective leaders are those who embrace the challenges with enthusiasm and resilience, saying, “We can do this!” Embrace change and encourage your team to innovate and think ‘out-side-the-box’.

Never underestimate the power of clear communication. Ensure that your shared vision, goals, and expectations are embedded and lived by everyone in the team. Regularly communicate progress and provide constructive feedback. Clarity and transparency build trust and align your team towards common objectives.

Here’s the thing; true leadership is not about telling others what to do, it’s about inspiring and developing them to reach their fullest potential, fostering a culture of trust and growth and navigating challenges together with unwavering ‘bouncebackability’ – It’s one hell of an amazing ride!

Debbie can be contacted at debbie@vetnetics.co.uk or through her website, www.vetnetics.co.uk

Developing confidence in leadership – an interview with Debbie Robinson