Shawn G. McVey, MA, MSW

A common mistake made by managers is to ignore problem situations and employees.

We live in an era of consolidation and collaboration if we are to be successful providers.

Q: I've worked as a practice manager for 10 years and I still can't get people to take responsibility. What can I do to encourage my team members to step up to the plate? -Burnt-out

No team member should have to deal with that verbal abuse. It's time to take the veterinarian aside.

Don't let bad attitudes, favoritism, or unresolved conflict contaminate your hospital. Neutralize noxious situations such as these using this advice.

My well-meaning boss will frequently say to a team member who isn't performing up to par, "You should be more like (another employee)." I've seen the team member not only take offense to the boss's statement but also feel resentment toward the other employee for being the favorite. Does this management approach have any real positives?

Use these five coping strategies when stuck in a toxic environment.

I'm getting ready to take over as practice manager. It's my first leadership role, so I'm a little intimidated. What are the biggest things I should avoid in the beginning?

How do I structure breaks in a way fair to smokers and nonsmokers?

It must be considered that there is nothing more difficult to carry out, nor more doubtful of success,nor more dangerous to handle, than to initiate a new order of things."

Veterinary medicine has been owner-centric, not systems-centric.

Got to have a plan! Management is control of one's emotions and you are PAID to do this better than the doctor in your practice.

Become a learning practice.

We spend too much time "in" the business and not enough "on" the business.

Ask Shawn: A better way to pass the torch between shifts

Shift change is an easy time to lose track of something important. Shawn McVey offers advice on avoiding such problems.

I'm the manager of a small practice with no 'superstar' team members. Employees fail to follow through on tasks, and I find myself babysitting and putting out fires on a daily basis. But the practice owner is reluctant to fire anyone. What do I do? -SEARCHING FOR SUPERSTARS

Watch Shawn McVey explain how to get on your manager's bad side.

Veterinary team members need these three things to thrive at work.

You're all working hard, but are you working together? You might just be a group of people in the same clinic. Here's how to build a real veterinary team

Teamwork is about open, helpful communication. Here's how to talk about problems in the veterinary practice to help things get better.

Veterinary team members need to be direct with underperforming co-workers.

If your co-workers exhibit any of these symptoms, watch out. You're all just a group of employees posing as a real veterinary practice team.

I'm a practice manager having trouble with an employee. She's lazy and unprofessional, and does almost none of the duties she's expected to handle. The problem: She's the practice owner's wife. When I approach him about it, he just says, "She's the boss." What else can I do?

How do I structure breaks in a way fair to smokers and nonsmokers?

Shawn McVey says pet owners' financial situations aren't your business

Don't be put in the middle. Teach team members to communicate with each other.

Use these seven steps to uncover the discussions that will change your life.

Sample guidelines to follow after the death of a veterinarian.

A lean and mean guide to getting things done.