In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh unpack the myth that success in veterinary medicine is all about grit and hustle—and offer a compelling alternative backed by research.
Grounded in leadership science and workplace psychology, this episode explores new findings from the Thriving at Work: 2023 Leadership Development Survey and connects them to veterinary teams through the powerful lens of culture renovation. With burnout on the rise and turnover rates high, the conversation challenges long-held assumptions and offers practical, doable shifts to help teams flourish.
You’ll hear:
- Why “just push through” is not a long-term strategy for wellbeing
- What the science says truly drives thriving in veterinary workplaces
- How the “20% Rule” can help teams access more meaning without overhauling their jobs
- Real-life examples of how strengths, recognition, and curiosity fuel engagement
Whether you’re rethinking leadership, rebalancing workloads, or just trying to feel less drained at the end of the day, this episode offers science-backed ideas for making veterinary work more human—and more sustainable.
Resource Links:
Episode Article(s):
Title: Thriving at work
Authors: Simmons University Institute for Inclusive Leadership (2023)
***
Title: Beyond the Hustle: Rethinking what it takes to thrive at work
Authors: Elisa van Dam, Susan MacKenty, Brady and Pynn Perry Wooten (2025)
URL: https://www.smartbrief.com/original/beyond-the-hustle-rethinking-what-it-takes-to-thrive-at-work
***
20% Rule resource:
Title: Burnout Rate Is Lower Among Academic Physicians When Time Is Spent on Meaningful Work
Author: Lang, Les
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1053/j.gastro.2009.06.013
***
Florida Man This Week - Reality TV
What Do You Think? Reach out to us and let us know at Info@flourish.vet
Your Hosts:
Andi Davison LVT, CAPP, APPC
Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP
At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth.
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction: Rethinking Work Culture
00:57 Casual Catch-Up: Horse Troubles and Farm Life
03:35 A Day in the Life: Unexpected Calls and Mixed Emotions
05:01 Personal Stories: The Hustle Culture
10:07 Research Insights: Thriving at Work
13:40 Enablers of Thriving: Good Management and Communication
15:50 Building a Transparent and Strengths-Focused Team
17:04 The 20% Rule for Thriving at Work
19:57 Applying the 20% Rule to Cultural Renovation
21:53 Conducting an Energy Audit for Your Team
24:09 The Power of Curiosity in Leadership
28:28 Florida Man: A Humorous Interlude
30:01 Wrapping Up and Encouraging Engagement
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