• 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
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.

My boss is a meanie!

June 1, 2006

I work for a veterinarian who's nice to clients-but she yells and criticizes her team in public. She doesn't even say hello or goodbye to us half of the time. What can we do?

I work for a veterinarian who's nice to clients—but she yells and criticizes her team in public. She doesn't even say hello or goodbye to us half of the time. What can we do?

—Feeling Put Down

Dear Put Down,

Advertisement

The bad news: Cupid doesn't carry "nice" darts. So you're going to have to put in a little elbow grease to smooth out these rough waters.

First, ask yourself this question: Are you nice to your boss? Do you say hello when you pass her in the hall, or do you dart into doorways and duck out without a good night? Often, the best way to change another person's behavior is to change your own first. Perhaps your doctor isn't feeling the love. In other words, if you think she's rude or disrespectful, she might be thinking the same thing about you.

Next, plan a heart-to-heart with your boss. Talk one-on-one, and keep it private. Here's the tough part: You've got to offer specific examples of the behavior that's bothering you. That means you're forbidden from starting any sentence with the words "always" or "never." And you've got to be nice. Seriously. Your boss has feelings, too, and if you're confrontational she'll just tune you out. You might say, "It really embarrassed me yesterday when you criticized me in front of a client. I appreciate your feedback on how to improve, but I feel more comfortable talking about it in private."

I know it's tough. The truth is, changing behavior is hard. So the whole team needs to be on board. If you approach this with a positive, friendly attitude, your boss just might surprise you.

—Amy

Related Content:

RolesTechnicians
Viticus group seeks applications for veterinary boot camp scholarship
Viticus group seeks applications for veterinary boot camp scholarship
Veterinary tech students awarded national scholarship
Veterinary tech students awarded national scholarship
3 tips for selling your practice
3 tips for selling your practice

Advertisement

Latest News

An update on copper concerns in pet foods

Dental hacks to make every case more manageable

Q&A with a keynote: Walter Brown, RVTg, VTS, ECC

News wrap-up: This week’s headlines, plus dvm360® launches its first CE podcast

View More Latest News
Advertisement