Mastering Management: Tackle leadership with a team effort

The following tip is brought to you by a member of the Veterinary Leadership Group (VLG), a group of 20 management-savvy practitioners and hospital managers from across the country who meet twice a year to discuss business improvement, personal growth and social development issues for their practices.

TAMPA, FLA. — Do you have a leadership team in your practice? If not, maybe you should designate one and then meet regularly to discuss practice issues.

At the Veterinary Medical Clinic in Tampa, the practice leadership team consists of:

• Clinic director/doctor

• Practice manager

• Administrative assistant to practice manager

• Patient care coordinator

• Receptionist coordinator

• Technician coordinator

• Treatment/ware area coordinator

Within this group, each area of the practice is represented. The team meets outside the clinic once a month for one to two hours with an agenda. Additionally, a two-day retreat is held once a year at a resort. The practice manager facilitates these meetings and gets vendors to cover the cost.

The purpose of the leadership team is to share ideas, discuss issues being observed, communicate concerns, ask for feedback and disseminate information about possible new protocols, procedures and changes.

The goal is to help get vital information back to the entire staff and to get feedback. If the team buys in, then it is easier for the rest of the staff to understand why management makes certain decisions.

Having a defined leadership team and meeting with it regularly increases your ability to get feedback and communicate better with your staff. It helps everyone understand and appreciate the issues that management faces.

TIP FROM:

Eddie Garcia, DVM

Veterinary Medical Clinic

Tampa, Fla.