#136 Navigating Internal Conflict in Veterinary Hospitals

The Joyful DVM Podcast: Empowering Veterinary Professionals

Internal conflict in veterinary hospitals is a very common occurrence.

In addition to being super-uncomfortable to witness, it also has a very real and negative impact on client service and patient care.

Everyone who is aware of the conflict plays a part in its perpetuation if they don't speak up.

When we ignore the conflicts, or avoid them all together, we actually create space for them to continue to grow.

And make no mistake, ongoing conflict within a veterinary hospital is absolutely having a negative impact on client service and patient care.

Thankfully there are things each of us can do to help foster a pathway toward conflict resolution.

In this episode I share a process for diving conflict resolution including:

1. Avoiding gossiping about the conflict (this only makes it worse)
2. Not ignoring the conflict (it's having an impact, even when you ignore it)
3. Escalating awareness of the conflict to the appropriate level of leadership (don't assume they are aware its happening)
4. Gathering information (seek to understand both sides though individual conversations)
5. Identifying specific examples and impact (in the moment, people in conflict are often in tunnel vision and don't realize how they are behaving or being received)
6. Discussing together with both parties (create a safe place for them to share with each other)
7. Clarifying expectations for professional behavior (bring everyone back to the mission)
8. Following up with timely feedback in the weeks that follow (reinforce expectations as needed).

The bottom line is this...

As uncomfortable as it might be to have conversations about conflict, simply allowing the conflict to continue unaddressed is much much worse... for you, your team, your clients and your patients.

If this episode hits home, please consider sharing it with friend and leaving us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts!

For more information on how to Leverage The Space to protect your own emotional wellbeing when conflict occurs, check out Vet Life Academy.

https://joyfuldvm.com/vetlifeacademy

Music Credit: Music by Lesfm from Pixabay