Fetch dvm360® preview: What Ted Lasso teaches us about leadership and life

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To be successful, leaders need to continually examine, evaluate, and recalibrate their leadership skills. Despite all the resources available today, both online and off, it is not always clear where to turn for guidance. Among all the noise, Mia Cary, DVM, CEO and change agent for Cary Consulting, and CEO for the Pride Veterinary Medical Community, has found a source of clarity and inspiration in Apple TV’s Ted Lasso.

One might wonder what a television comedy-drama can contribute to the veterinary profession. In her upcoming talk at the Fetch dvm360^® Conference in San Diego, California, December 2-5, 2021, Cary will explain that wisdom and guidance can be taken from even the unlikeliest source.

In an interview with dvm360^®, Cary, who resides in Greensboro, North Carolina, described how she created a session out of a comedy. “I had been told for over a year by multiple people that I should watch the Ted Lasso series and I kept putting it off. When I finally sat down to give it a shot, I ended up binge-watching the entire first season, and the next day wrote the outline for ‘What Ted Lasso Teaches Us About Leadership and Life,’” Cary said. “I can’t wait to share it with you! Spoiler alert, it’s all about the choices that we make.”

In her session, Cary will emphasize 8 smartcuts, decisions that propel individuals in a positive direction by creating sustainable momentum or eliminating unnecessary effort. She said these smartcuts are critical in encouraging the lateral thinking required to continually improve in practice, leadership, and life in general. Cary stated that harnessing smartcuts is important in the “ongoing evolution of how we practice the art and science of veterinary medicine, and how we continue to expand our leadership prowess.”

What smartcuts can be gleaned from Ted Lasso and which insights will resonate with veterinary professionals? Cary will dive into a variety of leadership essentials, including how kindness is powerful and underrated, why small gestures can have a massive impact, and where play and laughter belong.

Here’s a sneak peek at 1 of 8 leadership and life smartcuts from Cary and Ted Lasso:

Choose kindness

Kindness is an underrated tool that leaders often relegate to “nice to have” instead of “must have.” Cary said encouraging kindness in the workplace starts with leading by example. Because sometimes it’s the little things, an example she provides is starting staff meetings with a “kindness round” in which team members are invited to acknowledge each other’s wins. In her session, Cary will give more tips for using kindness to be a better leader and how it can improve the workplace.

To learn about the other 7 smartcuts and how Ted Lasso can make leaders better, conference participants can attend Cary’s session on Thursday, December 2, 2021, at 1:15 pm in Room 31 A of the San Diego Convention Center.