Ep 220: The Making of a Mentor: Part 1, with Dr Emily King

The 'So You're A Vet... Now What?' Podcast

Episode Description

In this episode of "So You're a Vet… Now What?" Dr. Moriah McCauley is joined by Dr. Emily King from All Star Veterinary Clinic. Dr. Emily shares the origin story of All Star and discusses how her journey of growing an 11-doctor practice has shaped her unique leadership and mentorship styles. Aimed at final year vet students and recent graduates, this episode is packed with valuable advice on identifying green flags in potential job opportunities.

Dr. King recounts her experiences with mentors during her veterinary education and early career. She highlights the importance of having mentors who provide guidance, support, and encouragement. For instance, her mentor at Kryder Veterinary Clinic, Donn Kryder, hired her despite her lack of small animal experience, simply because he believed in her potential. This kind of support is crucial for new graduates who often feel overwhelmed and uncertain.

Dr. King also discusses how a significant aspect of empowering team members is allowing them to make decisions at all levels of the organization. Dr. King believes that the deeper in the organization decisions can be made, the more successful the practice will be. This means that even high school students working at the clinic are encouraged to make decisions related to client care, as long as they align with the practice's core values. When individuals feel confident and capable, they are more likely to invest in their work and the success of the practice. This investment leads to a more cohesive and collaborative team environment, where everyone is working towards the same goals and supporting each other's growth.

By supporting individual decisions and providing constructive feedback, Dr. King helps build confidence among her team members. This empowerment leads to a more engaged and motivated workforce, as individuals feel valued and trusted to contribute meaningfully to the practice.

In summary, empowering team members to make decisions and supporting their growth can lead to a more successful and cohesive practice environment. By creating a clear vision, establishing structured leadership and mentorship programs, encouraging decision-making at all levels, and providing continuous support and feedback, practices can foster a culture of trust, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Dr. Emily King's approach at All Star Veterinary Clinic serves as an excellent model for how to achieve this in a veterinary practice.

Episode Outline

[00:02:48] Organized chaos.

[00:06:02] Opening a veterinary practice.

[00:08:14] Crucial Conversations in Veterinary Medicine

[00:11:45] Mentorship in veterinary medicine

[00:15:11] Mentoring through basketball.

[00:19:02] Vision for mentorship

[00:21:32] Creating a great workplace

[00:24:35] Empowering decision-making in organizations.

[00:27:58] Early stage vets support.

Episode Links

Connect with Dr Emily King: https://www.instagram.com/dremilyking/

All-Star Veterinary Clinic: https://www.all-starvet.com/

Mentioned in this episode:

So You're a Vet, Now What? - The Course

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