Creating a Values-Driven Veterinary Team from Day One
Starting or running a veterinary practice requires a significant amount of work. You have patients to care for, clients to communicate with, and a million little details that keep things running smoothly each day.
But more often than not, how your team treats each other and works together matters just as much as the medicine you provide.
That's where values come in. Because what your team believes matters just as much as what they do.
Dr. Michele Drake, founder of the Drake Center for Veterinary Care and co-founder of GeniusVets, says it like this: "If you don't define your practice culture, someone else will. And when you leave it up to chance, that's when chaos creeps in."
Values help you build a team that's not only skilled but connected, respected, and aligned. If your clinic culture isn't grounded in shared values, things start to unravel quietly. Turnover increases. Communication breaks down. Morale dips. And soon, you find yourself wondering, Why does this feel so much harder than it should?
But the best part? You don't have to wait years to figure this out. You can start building a values-driven team from the very beginning.
So how do you build that? Especially if you're just starting out or trying to rebuild?
Let's walk through it together.
What It Means to Be a Values-Driven Practice
Being "values-driven" doesn't mean you have a cute mission statement on the wall. Think of your values as the guiding principles for your team. They're the beliefs and behaviors that guide how your clinic works every day. It means your entire team, from the front desk, techs, to DVMs, knows what matters most and acts accordingly.
It's the foundation your team walks on, meaning:
- Your new veterinarian doesn't second-guess when it's okay to take a lunch break, because your culture expects and supports well-being.
- Your tech team steps in during a chaotic emergency because teamwork and trust are part of the DNA.
- A missed charge or a tough euthanasia doesn't spiral into shame or silence because support and compassion are practiced, not just preached.
Why Values Matter So Much in Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary work can be intense. Emotions run high. Schedules get slammed. Without shared values, things can quickly fall apart.
When your team knows what's expected, what's celebrated, and what really matters, they show up with more confidence, kindness, and care. Leading to better communication, less drama, happy clients, and ultimately, longer-lasting staff.
How to Build a Values-Driven Veterinary Team
Many practice owners wait until there's conflict or burnout before they start defining their values. Don't wait for that emergency signal. The earlier you set the tone, the better.
Step 1: Choose Values That Actually Matter to You
Before you can lead a values-driven team, you must be clear about your own beliefs. Don't copy what someone else is doing. Instead, ask yourself:
- What kind of place do I want to create?
- How do I want my team to feel when they walk in the door?
- What can I improve on from other places I've worked?
Your answers will help you select 3–5 values that align with your practice. Maybe you value clear communication, emotional support, or clinical excellence. Whatever it is, write it down. Keep it simple. This becomes the foundation for everything that follows.
Step 2: Invite the Team In
Culture isn't built by one person. Even when you set the vision, the team brings it to life. That's why inviting feedback and collaboration is essential, especially in the early stages.
Drake's advice? "Ask your team what those values look like in real life. The more they contribute, the more invested they become."
Consider running a values workshop during a team meeting:
- Break into small groups and discuss what each value means in day-to-day situations
- Collect real examples of teammates living those values
- Co-create a list of value-aligned "norms" that guide daily behavior
Step 3: Hire the Person, Not Just the Resume
Hiring is one of the most critical areas where you can apply your values. Yes, skills and credentials matter, but cultural fit is what keeps people around.
Ask behavior-based interview questions:
- "Tell me about a time you had to support a teammate who was struggling emotionally."
- "How do you like to receive feedback?"
- "What matters more to you in a tough client interaction, being right, or being heard?"
Dr. Drake's genius emphasis: Hire someone with heart and potential rather than someone with 10 years' experience and a poor attitude. Skills can be taught. Values are lived.
Step 4: Lead With Consistency and Compassion
Veterinary leadership is more than managing schedules and approving time off. It's modeling your values, especially on the hard days.
If your team sees you prioritizing patient care over profits, or calmly handling a mistake with a growth mindset, they'll follow suit. Culture doesn't come from policies. It comes from what's normalized by leadership.
Genius reminder: Your team is always watching. How you react, how you treat people, what you tolerate. If you lead with alignment, they'll step into that with you.
Build a Practice That Feels Like Home
When your clinic is aligned with values, everything shifts. Client care improves. Internal conflict lessens. Your people stay longer. And most importantly, you feel proud of what you're building.
Every clinic has tough days. Emergency cases, cranky clients, and miscommunications happen. But when your team shares clear values, you have something solid to fall back on.
Whether you're brand new to the journey or deep into it, it's never too late to lead with intention.
Ready to Lead With Vision?
You don't have to figure it all out on your own. Whether you're hiring your first tech or rebuilding your entire team, GeniusVets can help you build a foundation that lasts.
Book your free Marketing Health Exam today and get expert insights on how your internal culture connects to client retention, growth, and long-term success.