Teamwork, work–life balance and dealing with difficult situations

The British Equine Veterinary Association Congress 2021 was a welcome reminder to us all to celebrate what's great about our profession and explore what we can improve.

The congress' opening address, which focused on teamwork, was delivered by Tim Greet and entitled ‘Together We Stand, Divided We Fail’. Tim introduced the topic by framing teamwork as an essential ingredient for a fulfilling life. Building trust, absolute honesty, admitting what and when we don't know, vulnerability and effective communication are the cornerstones of a successful veterinary practice. Tim likened practice to a Formula 1 pitstop team, with everyone having their individual roles, working co-operatively with understanding, empathy and cohesive action under pressure.

Tim also spoke about how listening to your team is a fundamental trait for leadership, and how an open and transparent culture will improve patient outcomes, as an honest analysis of our failures leads to future improvements. Tim referenced the modern ‘blame culture’, which puts pressure on new graduates, leaves them reluctant to try new skills and can lead to complaints with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).