Good leadership matters. But for many veterinary professionals, learning how to lead happens while they are already doing the job.
You may have become a practice manager because you were an excellent receptionist. You may have stepped into a clinical leadership role because you were an experienced vet or veterinary nurse. Perhaps you are leading a team for the first time, or finding yourself responsible for people, performance and decision-making alongside an already demanding clinical role.
Whatever your route into leadership, one thing is clear: being a great veterinary professional and being an effective leader are not necessarily the same thing.
Leadership is a skillset in its own right – and, like any other professional skill, it can be learned, developed and continually improved.
And there is a growing recognition across the profession that we need to invest in it.
Leadership affects people
It influences how teams communicate, how change is introduced, how conflict is handled, how people develop, how wellbeing is supported and, ultimately, how sustainable a workplace feels.
So why is it that leadership development can still feel like something we are expected to figure out for ourselves?
You don’t have to work it out alone
At the Veterinary Management Group (VMG), we believe veterinary leadership should be developed deliberately – not left to chance.
Our veterinary Leadership Standards Framework (LSF) was created specifically for the veterinary profession. It provides a structured way to explore your leadership against three key areas: Professional Values, Behaviours and Practices, and Knowledge and Skills.
And importantly, it isn’t about passing or failing.
It is about understanding where you are now, where you want to go and what might help you get there.
The LSF self-assessment gives you an individual report highlighting your strengths and potential areas for development. VMG has now also introduced a free professional development planning course for members, designed to help you interpret your results, identify priorities and turn them into a practical development plan.
That means you don’t have to look at a long list of potential courses or CPD and wonder, ‘Where do I even start?’ Instead, you can start with your leadership needs.
And because leadership development is an ongoing process, the LSF isn’t something you complete once and put away. It can be revisited throughout your continuing education cycle as your role, experience and responsibilities evolve.
Leadership development doesn’t have to be overwhelming
Amy Martin, VMG Learning & Development Manager said, “I speak to people each day who know that they need to develop in their role as a leader but with so much training out there it is difficult to know where to begin. Our new free member benefit should help veterinary leaders prioritise their training needs without feeling overwhelmed.”
That’s at the heart of what VMG is here to do. Not to tell you what kind of leader you should be, but to give you the tools, knowledge, community and support to develop as the leader you want to become.
From self-assessment to structured development
For some people, completing the LSF may identify a few specific areas they would like to strengthen.
That could mean developing confidence in difficult conversations, understanding how to motivate and develop a team, becoming more comfortable with strategic planning, improving communication or learning how to lead change.
For others, it may be the starting point for a more structured leadership development journey.
That’s where VMG’s education pathways can help.
Become a Qualified Veterinary Leader
Our VMG/ILM qualifications in Veterinary Leadership and Management provide a progressive route for veterinary professionals who want to develop their leadership and management knowledge in greater depth. The Certificate (CVLM) and Diploma (DVLM) explore areas including leadership styles, motivation, communication, emotional intelligence, developing yourself and others, strategy and organisational performance.
Mike Kitchen, DVLM, (residing in the UAE) tutor on the certificate and diploma in veterinary leadership and management and part of the WSAVA strategic advisory board advises, “Veterinary specific leadership training has real value for veterinary leaders. While priorities may differ across countries and cultures, the leadership skills needed to build effective teams and organisations are remarkably consistent. That is why VMG’s qualifications are taught entirely online, enabling veterinary professionals from anywhere in the world to develop their leadership capabilities and become part of a growing global community of qualified veterinary leaders.”
CPD/CE (Continuing Education) for Veterinary Leaders
The VMG range of CPD/CE is designed for veterinary professionals at different stages of their careers, from those considering their first leadership role to experienced managers looking to refresh or extend their skills. VMG’s CPD/CE programme includes topics such as developing teams, coaching and mentoring, workplace culture, communication, wellbeing and practice finance.
For those taking their first steps, the Introduction to Veterinary Leadership and Management course provides 10 hours of CPD/CE covering leadership styles, emotional intelligence, communication, motivation, wellbeing and personal development planning.
So whether you need one new skill, a clearer development plan or a recognised qualification, there is a place to start.
Leadership doesn’t happen in isolation
There is another important part of leadership development: community.
You can read a book, complete a course or attend a webinar, but some of the most valuable learning happens when you can talk to people who understand the challenges you are facing.
That is why VMG membership is about more than access to education. It’s about connecting people.
Through membership, veterinary leaders can access resources, learning opportunities such as the online ShareSPACE community, bite sized learning through Microbursts, professional connections, and a community of people who understand the realities of veterinary leadership and management.
Our motto is Learn, Share, Grow – and that is exactly what we believe good leadership development should enable.
Your leadership journey is yours
There is no single route into veterinary leadership, and there is certainly no single definition of a good leader.
You might be leading a team of two or an organisation of 200. You might be an aspiring leader, newly promoted, an experienced practice manager, a clinical director or working in a non-clinical veterinary role.
Wherever you are starting from, you don’t need to have all the answers.
Leadership is something we continue to learn throughout our careers.
And VMG is here to help you do that.
Start by understanding yourself. Identify where you want to develop. Find the learning that fits your needs. Connect with others. Keep reflecting, learning and growing.
Because veterinary leadership matters – and you shouldn’t have to navigate the journey alone.
Ready to take your next step?
Start with the VMG Leadership Standards Framework – available to members and non-members – and discover where your leadership journey could take you.
Explore the VMG Leadership Standards Framework
Already know the area you’d like to develop? Explore VMG’s CPD and qualifications and find the learning pathway that’s right for you.
Explore VMG CPD/CE and qualifications
VMG is here to listen, support and help you grow – whatever stage of your leadership journey you’re at.
Need some tailored support? We are here to help, simply email out team on education@vetmg.com or why not book an informal chat with VMG Learning & Development Manager Amy Martin, who is on hand to answer your questions.
