Here's how to enlist new trainers at your veterinary practice

Not everyone is good at everything. Here's how to get additional team members on board with training others.

• Go with the expert. If another team member is better at performing a certain skill, ask that person to teach it instead of you. I always had someone else teach dental prophies. Why? Because that other team member was more fired up about them and I wanted to transfer that energy.

• Pick the right people. It's important to keep in mind, however, that good employees don't always make good trainers. Ask team members ahead of time how they feel about training and what reservations they may harbor. If they simply lack confidence, help build them up. If they just don't like the idea of being a trainer, you might be better off looking elsewhere on your staff-size permitting, of course.

• Make a smooth start. Once you've identified new trainers, check to see what interests them. Set them up to work with new hires who are quick learners, and give the trainers positive feedback. It's also helpful to start new trainers by assigning them to first teach a skill to a less seasoned employee rather than a brand-new hire.

• Keep your eyes open. Even when your best people are teaching new hires, you still need to watch to make sure they're teaching the trainee successfully. Listen in as you walk by the training session and pay attention to who's doing the work. If your new hire isn't getting the chance to actually practice a skill, touch base with the trainer and ask if the new hire could get more hands-on experience.