Know yourself and be a better leader

In case you don't know, Fetch dvm360 conference speaker Betsy Charles, DVM, MA, is here to tell you: Being a leader in the veterinary clinic is much more than telling team members what to do.

"Effective leadership comes from an authentic place," she says.

This means knowing what you bring to the team, your own communication style and method of dealing with conflict, she says. It's called self-awareness and it lets you more effectively interact with others.

Toward self-awareness

4 steps to get those monkeys off your back.

3 steps to a happier veterinary team.

Do you work in an emotional silo?

"Knowing yourself is critical, and that's how we sabotage ourselves-we don't know ourselves and then we wonder why we can't lead effectively," she says.

Being a leader in the veterinary practice is difficult enough, according to Dr. Charles. She urges you to better your chances with self reflection.

Watch the video for more.

Hold on! You didn't think we'd leave you hanging, did you?

In this bonus video, Dr. Charles has tips to help you and your team work on that intangible state known as self-awareness. She says it's difficult to teach, but you'll benefit from "anything that's going to get you into experiences where you actually have to practice the skill."

Yes, this means you'll have to do more than watch a couple of videos. Dr. Charles says the hectic pace of a veterinary clinic makes the practice all the more difficult.

Check out these hand-picked resources

The Veterinary Leadership Institute's Veterinary Leadership Experience.

Guided meditation and mindfulness with the Headspace app.

Dear veterinary professional, you need to develop some self-care routines.

"We don't take time to step off the treadmill of veterinary medicine, reflect about what's going well, what's not going so well," she says. "That really is the key to self-awareness."

Watch the video for more insight.

You. Can. Do. This!

At Fetch dvm360 conference, we're the support system you need. With every conference this year, we intend to nurture your mind (meaning quality CE for days) while also encouraging you to take stock of your physical and emotional health. Register now.