Do you think like a boss? Or like an employee?
As a veterinarian who is busy running their own practice, it’s important to cultivate a “boss-like” mentality to be successful. Deciding whether you are in charge (or passively treading water day after day) will make or break your practice in the long run.
So, do you think like a boss? Or an employee?
If you answered the latter…not to worry!
Mastering how to think like a boss is a skill that can be learned. Just like your ability to calm a nervous dog or administer eyedrops to a fidgety cat, you too can learn how to get off autopilot and truly think like a boss.
The Difference Between “Thriving” and “Surviving”
Many aspects of owning a practice are hard. And being in charge is even more of a challenge! Often, we get so bogged down by the energy is takes just to survive as business owners that we neglect to formulate a plan on how to thrive going forward.
For example, you may be wondering:
· Should I hire more staff?
· Should I build more exam rooms?
· Should I purchase the building I’m renting?
· Show I expand my hours to increase capacity?
· Etc.
Now, if you aren’t asking yourself these kinds of questions, it could mean two things.
1. You are far too busy barely surviving working Monday-Friday, 9-5, and don’t have the “brain space” to be proactive with your practice planning
2. You have failed to contemplate these questions at all because no other staff has ever brought them up to you.
This is where most veterinarians get stuck. They are turning a profit and enjoying the fruits of their labor. However, they are still not fully thinking like the CEO of their own company. As a result, their practice runs the risk of stagnating.
Change Your Perspective
To learn how to think like a boss, it’s necessary to change your perspective.
The secret to discovering every presented opportunity in your practice is to think more like a business owner than a veterinarian. A veterinarian treats patients – that’s it. On the other hand, a business owner leverages resources to empower its employees and takes advantage of their appointed role as servants to the community they’re in. Thinking like a boss means looking into the future (and acting accordingly) to provide the best outcomes for everyone involved, including owners, staff, patients, etc.
Someone with a boss mentality will always be reflecting on what could be done better. For instance, consider hiring. A person who doesn’t view themself as a boss is more likely to see hiring new staff as an added cost. But a leader will do the opposite! Bosses know that a topnotch employee will in fact more than pay for him/herself and be a valuable investment in the practice.
It’s all about changing your perspective.
Final Argument for Thinking Like a Boss
You – like many others – probably got into business for yourself because you wanted to:
· Change the way you and your staff interact with patients and their owners
· Create an environment that feels welcoming, exciting, and family-oriented
· Help the communities in which you serve.
While these are all great reasons, keep in mind that the future of your practice hinges upon your ability to lead. Learning how to think like a boss is the #1 way to foster success – guaranteed!
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Securities products and services and advisory services offered through Park Avenue Securities LLC (PAS), member FINRA, SIPC. OSJ: 4200 West Cypress Street, Suite 700, Tampa, FL 33607, 813-289-3632. PAS is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), New York, NY. The individuals associated with Florida Veterinary Advisors do not maintain specialized licenses or qualifications for the financial services provided to veterinary professionals. Florida Veterinary Advisors is not registered in any state or with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as a Registered Investment Advisor. Florida Veterinary Advisors is not an affiliate or subsidiary of PAS or Guardian. Christopher Burnett CA License #0K79676. Tom Seeko CA License #0K80141. 2021-130386 Exp 12/23