Leadership determines the culture of a practice. Just as a leader on a baseball or football team establishes the personality of a sports team, the leadership in a veterinary practice will establish the personality of the practice. If your practice provides exceptional medicine, it is likely that the leadership sets a standard that expects to provide exceptional medical care. If the practice isn't always sparkling clean, though the staff might get blamed for not cleaning the practice regularly or completely, they do so only because the leadership allows it and sets an expectation that it's okay. Leadership determines the culture of the practice.
If a practice has exceptional teamwork and everybody pitches in with the singular focus on exceptional patient and client care, then it is probably a result of leadership in the practice that not only sets an example of that attitude and behavior, but they also are likely to promote that teamwork and focus in everything that they do at the practice. It becomes a part of the culture of the practice.
Therefore, if your desire is to establish a different attitude, personality, standard of care, and culture in your practice, it must start with leadership. Leadership must look in the mirror, accept responsibility for current short-comings, and make it their objective to change. They must demonstrate their support through personal example, decision-making, behavior, and financial support. Establishing a 'winning' culture doesn't happen by accident. It is a decision made and executed by leadership of the practice. To improve your practice, accept responsibilty for short-comings, establish objectives for desired change, and execute your plan to improve in everything you do. Leadership determines the culture of a practice!
