355 - Fixing "Sink or Swim" Culture

When veterinary clinics run on a sink or swim culture, new hires are tossed into the job after just a few days of shadowing and expected to keep pace in a high-pressure environment without the tools or confidence to succeed. In this episode, Dr. Andy Roark and Stephanie Goss dig into why this outdated approach persists and how it fuels turnover, burnout, and inconsistent client service. They share practical strategies for building smarter, more supportive onboarding programs that work even when the clinic is short-staffed. From defining what “success” looks like in the first weeks to role-playing real client scenarios, you’ll learn how to create a culture of continuous development that keeps great team members for the long haul.

Lead the Future of AI in Your Veterinary Practice

Artificial intelligence is already part of daily life in veterinary medicine, and team leads are guiding how it is used. At the Team Leads Summit, Maria Pirita will present “Smarter, Safer AI,” an interactive workshop designed to help you use AI effectively and responsibly. Learn how to identify risks, write better prompts, choose reliable tools, and create a clinic culture that embraces innovation while protecting your team and clients. The session is Zoom-friendly and full of real-world veterinary examples you can apply immediately. Register now for the Team Leads Summit at unchartedvet.com/upcoming-events.

Join the Uncharted Community

The Uncharted Veterinary Community is where veterinary professionals come together to learn, connect, and grow. As a member, you gain access to live workshops, on-demand training, discussion groups, and resources designed to help you lead with confidence. Whether you want to strengthen your team, improve client communication, or plan for long-term success, you will find practical tools and a supportive network ready to help. Membership means you are never leading alone. Join today and start exploring at unchartedvet.com/community.

Stephanie is a former practice manager who lives on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. With over 20 years of experience both on the floor and in the office, Stephanie is passionate about staff education, team culture, management and training. Stephanie loves to geek out about technology, especially Practice Management Software. She has experience as a practice manager in both private and corporate practices, ranging in size from one to seven doctors. She has experience as a consultant and trainer with AVImark software, paperlite/paperless transitions, practice management and staff training.