The Veterinary Culture Lab

In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh explore a deceptively simple question: just because a veterinary team is getting the work done, does that mean they're actually working well together?Inspired by Ted Lasso and grounded in research on team cohesion, performance, and shared leadership, this conversation unpacks what happens when an “us versus them” mentality takes hold in the workplace. The science suggests that connection and performance can reinforce one another over time, and that creating opportunities for people to succeed together may be one of the most powerful ways to build stronger teams.You'll hear:Why getting the work done isn't necessarily the same as functioning well as a teamWhat research reveals about the relationship between team cohesion and performanceHow shared leadership can help strengthen connection and collaborationWhy workplace cliques and “us versus them” thinking can be so difficult to overcomePractical ways veterinary teams can break down silos, challenge assumptions, and create small wins togetherWhether you're a veterinary technician, assistant, veterinarian, manager, student, CSR, or practice owner, this episode offers a science-backed and surprisingly Ted Lasso-inspired look at how everyday interactions, shared experiences, and intentional leadership can help transform the way veterinary teams work together.Because sometimes what a team needs isn't another practice.It's a chance to become a team.Resource Links: Episode ArticleTitle: Modeling Reciprocal Team Cohesion–Performance Relationships as Impacted by Shared Leadership and Members’ Competence Authors:John Mathieu, Michael Kukenberger, Lauren D’Innocenzo, and Greg Reilly DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0038898Ted Lasso - Season 4Soul Dog Rescue Florida Man This Week - KetchupWhat Do You Think? Reach out to us and let us know at [email protected] Your Hosts: Andi Davison LVT, CAPP, APPC Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth. Timestamps: 05:55 Ted Lasso Returns07:06 Cliques On A Winning Team09:13 Pub Trivia Breakthrough10:06 Us Versus Them13:11 Cohesion Versus Performance14:29 Research Paper Breakdown17:17 Feedback Loop Over Time18:29 Shared Leadership Boosts Cohesion20:39 Cliques and Us Versus Them22:40 Rewriting the Team Story29:04 Blur One Line This Week32:09 No Time Is Not a Plan34:43 Small Wins Build Momentum37:52 Beyond the Scoreboard39:01 Wrap Up and Share

Mistakes and unexpected outcomes are an unavoidable part of doing complex medical work. But what happens after something goes wrong can have a powerful impact on the people involved—and the culture around them.In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh explore research on debriefing after adverse medical events in veterinary practice. The findings suggest that simply having a debrief isn’t enough. How those conversations happen matters, with higher-quality debriefing associated with greater psychological safety, professional fulfillment, and work engagement—and lower burnout.From shame and blame to curiosity and learning, Andi and Josh unpack what can make these conversations helpful rather than harmful and offer a practical framework veterinary teams can use when things go sideways.In this episode, we explore:Why adverse medical events may be more common than the conversations that follow themWhat separates a productive debrief from a blame sessionHow psychological safety and high-quality debriefing may reinforce one anotherA simple framework for talking through what happened, what contributed, and what comes nextHow every team member can help create a culture that learns when things go wrongBecause mistakes don’t define a workplace culture nearly as much as what we do next.Resource Links: Episode Article:Title: Well-executed debriefings conducted after adverse medical events are associated with psychological safety, work engagement, job fulfillment, and reduced burnout in: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Volume 264: Issue 2 (2026) | AVMA Journals Authors: Lori R. Kogan PhD and Mark Rishnaw PhDDOI: Avail. As an open article at link aboveResources to develop debrief facilitation skills:Quick & Free: TALK Debrief ModelA bit more depth, a bit more investment: INFO BASICS WorkshopMaster Debrief Facilitation: VetSafe Master (veterinary specific!)Florida Man - BagelsWhat Do You Think? Reach out to us and let us know at [email protected] Your Hosts: Andi Davison LVT, CAPP, APPC Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth. Timestamps 05:40 A Real Medical Error Story07:57 What Usually Happens Next11:38 Errors Are Culture Events13:55 Study Overview and Stats17:15 Debrief Quality Drives Outcomes18:36 Key Caveats and Takeaways26:45 Renovation One Clear Purpose28:37 Four Fs Debrief Framework32:36 Add a Fifth F34:23 Everyone Can Carry Culture36:05 Closing Culture Renovation

In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh explore what happens when the veterinary career you worked so hard to build doesn’t quite look like the one you imagined.Grounded in recent research exploring the experiences of newly credentialed veterinary technicians, this conversation examines the gap between the expectations people carry into the profession and the realities they encounter once they get there. From feeling simultaneously overworked and underutilized to navigating team conflict, limited opportunities for growth, and questions about long-term career sustainability, the research reveals challenges that extend far beyond the technical parts of the job.Andi and Josh dig into what it actually means to utilize someone well, why recognition is about more than praise, and how leaders can help people see a future for themselves within veterinary medicine. Together, they explore practical ways to create workplaces where veterinary professionals feel trusted, valued, and able to keep growing.You will hear:Why the transition from credentialing to practice may not match what veterinary technicians expectHow someone can feel overworked and underutilized at the same timeWhy trust, recognition, and feeling seen matter to professional identityHow leaders can create meaningful opportunities for growth beyond traditional management rolesPractical ways veterinary workplaces can support more sustainable careersThis episode is an invitation to think beyond simply keeping great people in veterinary medicine—and start creating cultures where they can continue becoming the professionals they hoped they could be.Resource Links: Episode Article:Title: The Newly Credentialed Veterinary Technician: Perceptions, Realities, and Career Challenges .Authors:Addie R. Reinhard, Victoria P. Celt, Leah E. Pilewki, and Mariel K. Hendricks DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1437525 RISE Florida Woman This Week - PantsWhat Do You Think? Reach out to us and let us know at [email protected] Your Hosts: Andi Davison LVT, CAPP, APPC Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth. Timestamps:00:00 Florida Weather Catchup05:24 Expectations Versus Reality12:02 Study On New Techs15:30 Utilization Means Trust20:25 Recognition Beyond Praise27:52 Building Growth Pathways32:01 Alternative Paths Not Management38:57 Wrap Up And Goodbye

In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh dig into something veterinary leaders hear all the time: people need more feedback. But what if the real issue isn’t how much feedback we give—but how nourishing that feedback actually is?Grounded in research exploring strengths-based feedback, work engagement, and job crafting, this conversation looks at what happens when feedback goes beyond “good job” or “here’s what you need to fix.” The research suggests that when people receive feedback that helps them recognize and understand their strengths, they may feel more energized at work—and be more likely to proactively shape their work in ways that help them thrive.From generic praise and corrective conversations to self-efficacy and job crafting, Andi and Josh unpack what strengths-based feedback actually sounds like and how veterinary teams can use it without ignoring performance problems or turning feedback into empty praise.You’ll hear:Why more feedback isn’t necessarily better feedbackWhat makes strengths-based feedback different from generic praiseHow strengths-based feedback connects to engagement and job craftingWhy self-efficacy may influence how people respond to feedbackPractical ways to make both positive and corrective feedback more usefulPeople don’t need an all-you-can-eat buffet of feedback—they need feedback with some nutritional value. When we help people understand what’s strong in them, why it matters, and where they can use it next, feedback becomes more than something we give. It becomes something people can actually use.Resource Links: Episode Article:Title: Linking Strengths-Based Supervisor Feedback to Job Crafting: The Moderating Role of Self-EfficacyAuthors: Isabeau Van Strydonck, Vincent Goossens, Arnold B. Bakker, Evangelia Demerouti, Adelien Decramer, & Mieke AudenaertDOI: 10.1111/ijsa.70020Florida Man This Week - Meat MarketWhat Do You Think? Reach out to us and let us know at [email protected] Your Hosts: Andi Davison LVT, CAPP, APPC Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth. Timestamps 00:00 Heatwave Catch-Up08:12 Empty vs Nourishing Feedback14:16 Strengths-Based Feedback Study17:11 Key Definitions and Findings22:22 Why Feedback Type Matters23:58 What Strength Feedback Is25:24 Job Crafting Energy Loop28:03 Better Not More Feedback29:02 Self Efficacy Surprise36:56 Turning Research Into Practice37:28 Upgrade Praise With Four Steps39:35 Help Others See Strengths41:57 Strengths In Corrective Talks44:00 Dose Makes Poison Wrap46:40 Closing And Call To Action

In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh explore a surprising question: what if the goal of wellbeing isn’t to eliminate adversity—but to help people navigate it well?Grounded in research examining how cumulative lifetime adversity influences our response to future stress, this conversation explores an unexpected finding: people who had experienced moderate adversity showed more resilient responses to new stressors than those who had experienced either very little or very high adversity.From supporting versus rescuing to the role of leaders, teams, and workplace systems, Andi and Josh unpack what this research means for veterinary medicine—and how we can help inevitable challenges become opportunities for learning and growth rather than simply another source of burnout.You’ll hear:What research tells us about the relationship between adversity and resilienceWhy eliminating every challenge may not actually be the goalThe difference between supporting someone and rescuing themWhy resilience shouldn’t be treated as an individual responsibilityHow leaders and teams can help people process difficult experiences togetherPractical ways to create challenge that builds confidence without tipping into overloadVeterinary medicine will never be adversity-free. But while we can’t always change the challenges people face, we can shape what surrounds them—because culture renovation isn’t about eliminating adversity. It’s about making sure people don’t face it alone.Resource Links: Episode Article:Title: An Upside to Adversity? Moderate Cumulative Lifetime Adversity Is Associated With Resilient Responses in the Face of Controlled StressorsAuthors:Mark D. Seery, Raphael J. Leo, Shannon P. Lupien, Cheryl L. Kondrak, and Jessica L. AlmonteDOI: 10.1177/0956797612469210Flourish Academy - Resilience courses for leaders and teamsFlorida Man This Week - BatmanWhat Do You Think? Reach out to us and let us know at [email protected] Your Hosts: Andi Davison LVT, CAPP, APPC Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth. Timestamps 00:00 Adversity Chat05:24 Wellbeing And Stress07:35 Would You Erase Hardship11:48 Study Setup And Methods16:24 Moderate Adversity Wins19:08 Leaders Shape Resilience22:20 Support Versus Rescue30:08 Debriefs And Mastery35:02 Coaching After Failure38:51 Resilience Training Plug41:10 Florida Man Finale42:39 Wrap Up And Goodbye

In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh explore one of the most inevitable—and emotionally charged—parts of veterinary medicine: mistakes. Grounded in research on error management culture, psychological capital, job satisfaction, and wellbeing, this conversation examines why the way a team responds to mistakes may be just as important as the mistakes themselves.Rather than asking how to eliminate every error, the research encourages a different question: What kind of culture do we create when mistakes happen? Through personal stories, practical leadership strategies, and evidence-based discussion, Andi and Josh explore how our responses to mistakes shape trust, learning, resilience, and the willingness to speak up in the future.You'll hear:What the research reveals about error management culture and its relationship to wellbeingWhy mistakes are powerful cultural moments that shape trust, learning, and psychological safetyThe difference between an error prevention culture and an error management culturePractical strategies to replace blame with curiosity, learning, and accountabilityHow leaders and team members can create environments where people recover, grow, and continue contributing after mistakesWhether you lead a veterinary team or simply want to help create a healthier workplace, this episode offers a hopeful, science-backed perspective on turning inevitable mistakes into opportunities for stronger cultures, better learning, and more resilient teams.Resource LinksEpisode Article:Title Embracing Errors at Work – How Error Management Culture, Psychological Capital, and Job Satisfaction Relate to Individual Well-Being: Authors: Birgit Stephan, Matthias F. C. Hudecek, Dieter Frey, Eva LermerDOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-025-00265-7Flourish Academy - Certificate in Positive Veterinary LeadershipFlorida Man This Week - Bank MistakeReef Retreat What Do You Think? Reach out to us and let us know at [email protected] Your Hosts: Andi Davison LVT, CAPP, APPC Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth. Timestamps: 00:00 Mistakes Shape Culture08:42 Lessons From Leadership16:16 Culture Gets Smarter or Scarier17:16 Paper and Key Concepts21:01 Study Design and Findings24:32 Coddling vs Correction26:17 Why Leaders Struggle35:33 Curiosity Not Blame40:33 Recovery Pathway After Errors43:27 Choose What Teams Learn43:57 Florida Man

In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh explore what happens when a lifelong passion becomes a profession—and why loving horses alone is not enough to sustain a career in equine medicine.Grounded in recent international research on employee engagement and work satisfaction in equine veterinary professionals, this conversation examines the workplace factors that help passionate people remain engaged, fulfilled, and committed to the profession. The study identifies four key drivers of engagement: pride and purpose, company culture and leadership, working conditions and compensation, and team culture and learning opportunities.From stories about growing up as "horse kids" to conversations about identity, autonomy, mentorship, and meaningful work, Andi and Josh explore why equine medicine is both uniquely rewarding and uniquely vulnerable to sustainability challenges. Together, they unpack practical culture renovation strategies that help leaders create workplaces where passionate professionals can continue doing the work they love—without losing themselves in the process.You will hear:Why equine veterinary professionals often identify as "horse kids" long before becoming veterinary professionalsWhat new international research reveals about engagement and work satisfaction in equine medicineThe four workplace factors that most strongly influence sustainable equine careersWhy autonomy, mentorship, and learning opportunities matter more than many leaders realizeHow aligning personal values with organizational values can strengthen engagementPractical culture renovation ideas that support meaningful, sustainable careers for the entire veterinary teamThis episode is an invitation to rethink sustainability—not as asking passionate people to care less, but as intentionally creating cultures that allow them to keep caring for the work, their patients, and their own horses for years to come.Resource Links: Episode ArticleTitle: Engage and Enjoy: Investigating Predictors of Employee Engagement and Work Satisfaction in Equine Veterinary Professionals Authors: Yteke Elte, Kate Acton, Jessica Martin, Mirjam Nielen, René van Weeren, & Inga Wolframm DOI:10.3389/fvets.2023.1036388 The Flourish AcademySalt Creek VH - Daycare Solution AVMA article TVCL Episode 18 - Work ethic isn't deadFlorida Woman This Week - Horse DUI What Do You Think? Reach out to us and let us know at [email protected] Your Hosts: Andi Davison LVT, CAPP, APPC Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth. Timestamps:00:00 Welcome and weather06:02 Horse People Identity11:53 Passion And Exploitation13:54 Study Overview And Scope17:45 Four Engagement Drivers23:17 Culture Keeps People24:52 The Dark Side of Calling27:38 Systems That Support Boundaries30:30 Autonomy Versus Micromanagement33:35 Career Stages and Balance37:06 Culture Renovation Playbook41:09 Values Alignment in Practice44:58 Wrap Up and Florida Headline

In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh explore a deceptively simple question: what actually keeps people engaged at work?Grounded in research on positive leadership, workplace climate, and employee engagement, this conversation unpacks how the everyday interactions between people shape motivation, burnout, and the decision to stay—or leave. Because it turns out that engagement is not something people bring with them to work each day. It is something that is continuously influenced by the culture around them.From recognition and communication to connection and purpose, this episode highlights how workplace climate is built one interaction at a time. And while leaders certainly play a role, the findings suggest that creating an engaging workplace is not reserved for those with titles—everyone contributes to the environment people experience each day.You’ll hear:• What the research reveals about the relationship between workplace climate, burnout, and engagement• Why motivation is often a cultural outcome rather than an individual responsibility• How small moments of recognition, connection, and support shape the employee experience• The concept of relational reserves and why strong workplace relationships matter during difficult times• Practical ways every member of the veterinary team can help create a workplace people want to be part ofWhether you are leading a team, supporting your coworkers, or simply trying to make work a little better for the people around you, this episode offers an evidence-based and hopeful perspective on what keeps people engaged—and how culture influences that more than we might think.Resource Links: Episode Article:Title: Self-Determination Theory and Workplace Outcomes: A Meta-Analysis Authors:Martin S. Hagger & Kaylyn McAnally Star DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.70151Flourish Academy - Certificate in Positive Veterinary LeadershipFlorida Man This Week - Scuba“Lead To Thrive” by: Josh VaismanWhat Do You Think? Reach out to us and let us know at [email protected] Your Hosts: Andi Davison LVT, CAPP, APPC Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth. Timestamps:03:01 Meaningful Work Not Enough08:30 Self Determination Theory Paper11:15 Core Needs Explained13:17 Meta Analysis Findings15:16 Takeaway Purpose Limits19:25 Takeaway Pressure Costs27:03 Takeaway Leaders Matter28:40 Action Steps for Leaders30:50 Auditing Needs in Decisions33:51 Andi Adds Feedback Loops36:40 Key Lesson Recap38:47 Florida Man

In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh explore a powerful and deeply human question: what helps veterinary professionals stay emotionally connected to meaningful work — even when the work itself is hard?Grounded in research on compassion satisfaction, resilience, psychological distress, and life satisfaction, this conversation unpacks the idea that wellbeing in veterinary medicine is not just about reducing burnout. It is also about understanding the emotional protection that can come from helping others, contributing to a team, and experiencing moments of meaning and impact in everyday practice life.You’ll hear:What “compassion satisfaction” actually means — and why it matters in veterinary medicineWhy meaningful work can feel both emotionally exhausting and deeply fulfilling at the same timeThe surprising role compassion satisfaction may play in protecting wellbeingHow veterinary culture sometimes unintentionally rewards self-sacrificePractical ways teams and leaders can build cultures that support meaning, contribution, and connectionWhether you are a veterinary technician, assistant, veterinarian, manager, student, CSR, or practice owner, this episode offers a science-backed and deeply relatable look at how meaningful work, human connection, and healthy culture can help sustain the people doing this important work.Because compassion satisfaction is not just something veterinary professionals stumble into.It is something healthy cultures can help create.Resource Links:Episode Article:Title: Life satisfaction, psychological distress, compassion satisfaction and resilience: when the pleasure of helping others protects veterinary staff from emotional sufferingAuthors: Maria Manuela Peixoto and Olga Cunha DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-024-10510-0Blend VetFlorida Man This Week - Kitten Club What Do You Think? Reach out to us and let us know at [email protected] Your Hosts: Andi Davison LVT, CAPP, APPC Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth. Timestamps:01:53 Vet Med Paradox04:04 Boulder Cat Case15:06 Study Focus and Variables16:33 Compassion Satisfaction Explained17:41 Key Findings and Shock Absorbers23:55 When Meaning Gets Weaponized26:39 Building Healthier Systems37:54 Wrap Up and Florida Man

In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh explore what actually makes people stay in veterinary workplaces during difficult times—and why communication may be one of the most powerful retention tools we have.Grounded in research on positive communication and The Great Resignation, this conversation unpacks how transparency, flexibility, support, and trust shape the way veterinary professionals experience stress, crisis, and connection at work. Because it turns out—people do not just remember the hard days…they remember how those hard days felt, and who they felt them with.From COVID leadership lessons to everyday “mini-crises” inside veterinary hospitals, this episode highlights how communication is not just something teams do—it becomes part of the culture itself. And when leaders and coworkers communicate with honesty, humanity, and care, resilience becomes something people build together instead of carrying alone.You’ll hear: • Why positive communication plays a major role in employee retention • What veterinary teams remember most during stressful or uncertain moments • How transparency and flexibility strengthen trust during crisis • Why “micro moments” of support can shape workplace culture over time • How structuration theory explains the way communication creates culture • Why most veterinary communication training misses the other 98% of workplace conversations • Practical ways leaders and teams can create cultures people actually want to stay inWhether you are leading through uncertainty, navigating a difficult season with your team, or simply trying to create a workplace where people feel supported and valued, this episode offers a practical and hopeful look at how communication shapes culture—and why the way we talk to each other during hard times matters more than we think.Resource Links: Episode Article:Title: The Structuration of Positive Communication Experiences: The Case of the Great Resignation Authors: Elizabeth A. Williams , Jennifer S. Linvill, Emeline Ojeda-Hecht, Meghan R. Cosgrove,Autumn Buzzetta, and Abby KonkelDOI: 10.1177/23294884241263553Flourish Academy - Certificate in Cultivating Positive Team Communication Florida Man This Week - Cats What Do You Think? Reach out to us and let us know at [email protected] Your Hosts: Andi Davison LVT, CAPP, APPC Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth. Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and Catch Up06:17 Leading Through COVID14:58 Study Overview and Methods21:36 Key Findings Positive Communication23:12 Why Leaders Struggle to Be Transparent25:41 Flexibility Builds Trust26:47 Flexibility Builds Culture32:35 Everyone Shapes Culture48:09 Florida Man Finale