Episode 27: Why leadership matters in veterinary medicine

Every member of the veterinary team is a leader, says relief veterinarian and Women’s Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative (WVLDI) board member Rebecca Steers, DVM. Whether you’re the doctor or the assistant, you’re leading team members, clients, and even patients, she explains.

In this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast, Steers talks with Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, about some key leadership attributes and explains why WVLDI was formed and how she became one of its board members.

According to Steers, leaders need to be persistent and courageous, something she learned from her personal leadership journey. Steers says she was rejected the first time she applied to become a board member for WVLDI—but she didn’t let that stop her— and her determination paid off. “Being willing to take the risk and being courageous to do so, but also keeping yourself open is a huge part of my journey with WVLDI and with leadership in general,” she says.

When asked if being in a leadership position shapes the way she practices veterinary medicine, she tells Chrisman that she strives to acknowledge great leadership moments in the clinic in hopes of helping others discover their inner leader.

She also explains that WVLDI was formed to address the lack of women in veterinary leadership roles. Women comprise over half of the profession, yet men continue to dominate leadership roles, she says.

“We don’t really see the numbers of women in leadership roles in organized veterinary medicine, even as practice owners and medical directors. So, that’s where this initiative started, and I became a part of it because I think it’s important to get involved.”

Listen below to learn more about Steers’ thoughts on leadership.