• DVM360_Conference_Charlotte,NC_banner
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Conference Coverage
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Politics
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Digital Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Pharmacy
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Hospital Design
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Conference Listing
Conference Proceedings
Resources
CBD in Pets
CE Requirements by State
Contests
Veterinary Heroes
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

How does your team handle conflict?

August 1, 2007
Kelly Stazyk

Working at a practice is like growing up in a big family: no matter how huge the habitat, you're never alone. With such little personal space, conflicts can heat up fast. But a little effort can take the work out of working together well.

Working at a practice is like growing up in a big family: no matter how huge the habitat, you're never alone. With such little personal space, conflicts can heat up fast. But a little effort can take the work out of working together well.

Whether your practice's common conflicts are silly or serious, miniscule or monumental, the quality of your work environment affects the frequency of these flare-ups, says Debbie Allaben Gair, CVPM, a Firstline Editorial Advisory Board member and a management coach, recruiter, and educator with Bridging the Gap in Sparta, Mich. And since each team member influences your atmosphere, each one has the power to positively change it.

Figure 1

Advertisement

Prevention is the best cure

A positive, supportive, and stable work environment solves many conflicts before they start, says Gair. This type of atmosphere allows team members to relax and focus on their job responsibilities. It also establishes a base level of respect and camaraderie between co-workers. Teams in this environment behave more like friends—and may actually be friends—and as a result, they're more likely to respond to each other with patience and kindness.

"If my practice promotes a positive, supportive environment, I believe in myself and I believe in my co-workers. I trust their capabilities, I know they support me, and I know they're working to be the best people they can be," Gair says. "When mistakes and miscommunications occur, we're all more likely to give the benefit of the doubt."

Pam Weakley, a Firstline board member and the practice manager at Dickman Road Veterinary Clinic in Battle Creek, Mich., says creating, adhering to, and communicating your practice's policies reduces everyone's stress. For example, at a large hospital like Dickman Road, with nine doctors and 43 team members, staff scheduling could be a bear. But their process minimizes conflict because it's considerate and fair. Staff members maintain a similar schedule each week, rotate holidays, and know their shift assignments, so they can make changes up to a year in advance.

If your practice has more catfights than a stray dog has fleas, use these strategies to foster a positive environment and minimize pesky conflicts:

  • Offer training for job duties, responsibilities, and conflict resolution.

  • Welcome feedback, and keep an open mind.

  • Keep an open line of communication between managers and team members.

  • Acknowledge all co-workers as important members of your team who deserve your respect.

  • Understand team members' different behavior and communication styles, and use that knowledge to build better working relationships with your co-workers.

Put out the fire

If a conflict breaks out, Weakley doesn't run interference—she asks team members to hash it out among themselves. Gair suggests a similar approach, using an organizational chart as a map to resolution when team members can't find a solution on their own. For example, if a receptionist disagrees with a technician, they should talk one-on-one first. If they're unsuccessful, the receptionist should consult the reception team leader, then practice manager, and finally, the owner, attempting to resolve the issue. And each manager asks, "Have you tried to work it out yourselves?" before she gets involved.

Figure 2

"With a little effort, you can make your practice a more enjoyable place," Gair says. "Name one team member who doesn't want to see that happen."

Related Content:

Technicians
Veterinary tech students awarded national scholarship
Veterinary tech students awarded national scholarship
AAHA seeks applicants for its board, including for a newly created veterinary technician role
AAHA seeks applicants for its board, including for a newly created veterinary technician role
A technician’s true value
A technician’s true value

Advertisement

Latest News

To refer or to not refer

Advice panel for women interested in the veterinary field

AVMA president set to testify before Congress

New Hawaii-based pet CBD brand launches

View More Latest News
Advertisement