b'ARTICLEIf your staff seeHere are my top 10 tips:exercises. People will share their best that you love and enjoy1. Mistakes are ok - They are the bestideas when time is not a pressure. You your job, that will makeway to learn. We need to all talk aboutcould even try a practice meeting daya difference to the feeland share our mistakes, whether this isoff site.one-to-one in a graduate development6. If you or your staff are feeling under of the practice. Lead byprogramme meeting, or in regular morbiditypressure or stressed, consider breathing example. Take breaks,and mortality (M and M) meetings with thetechniques to help - Consider making a walk your dog at lunch,whole practice. When you have done this astress policy for the practice to help take time to cuddlefew times, it should become apparent thatdifferent people cope with the different the puppy that has justwe all make mistakes, but more importantly,types of stress we deal with on a daily how we can reflect and really changebasis. This should have content on how come in. processes or protocols to mitigate these into recognise stress, coping mechanisms the future, and decide this as a team. and signposting to additional support or 2. Allow people permission to share ideasresources.to bring them along on your journey - For7. Do something a little different for fun! some people this could be a chat in theWe had an amazing ice cream van come staff room or when you are in theatreto the practice on a Friday afternoon and together. For others, who may be tooeveryone chose their own. Small gestures shy to talk to you directly, it may becan often go a long way!an anonymous suggestion box. Try to8. If you are the boss, consider making accommodate the different needs of yourthe tea! Again, a small gesture but I bet it staff in this. will be the best tea your staff have ever 3. Remember to praise people - Sometimestasted!it is all too easy to pick up on problems or9. Your lead staff can definitely help complaints and forget to celebrate all theand are a prime part of developing and great things your staff do. Again, considermaintaining your culture Have regular how this is done. Some people will love tomeetings with them. Keeping them be praised in front of others but others willinformed of changes and your thought be very embarrassed by this. Getting toprocesses behind these will really help get know your staff will really help with this. them on board. This will produce a really 4. Encourage further development bothsupportive network that will no doubt filter professionally and personally - This maydown to the rest of the staff.mean clinical CPD, but non-clinical CPD10. Finally, if your staff see that you love and is also important. Staff will be motivatedenjoy your job, that will make a difference by setting goals and reaching them.to the feel of the practice - Lead by Encourage staff to share their learningexample. Take breaks, walk your dog at with others. Some may be happy to dolunch, take time to cuddle the puppy that a presentation, while others may preferhas just come in. Also, remember to take emailing the team.time to sit and have lunch in the staff room 5. Allow people time to reflect and thinkwith everyone else. Your staff will want Consider closing the practice for a dayto follow in your footsteps if they can see or half a day to have a practice meetingyour happiness and positivity.Ultimately, day. This can involve training, separatenot only will this be great for retention and team discussions, whole practice meetingrecruitment, but it will create and maintain discussions or even team buildingthe positive culture we all strive for.Vicki Farbon MA Vet MB GPCert (SAM) PgC SADI MRCVS Vicki is Chair of the Board at the Society of Practicing Veterinary Surgeons (SPVS) and clinical director of an independent small animal and exotic practice. Alongside clinical work, Vicki has a passion for business development, responsible leadership, promoting financial literacy within the practice and encouraging an excellent standard of EMS. SPVS offers resources to support further learning at https://spvs.org.uk/e-learning-hub/6www.inspiredvet.co.uk'