Calling All Team Leaders, Practice Managers and Vet Practice Owners

Have you recently been promoted to a leadership role and are struggling with how to make it work?

Does your practice have a toxic blame culture that needs reform?

Do you feel like you are spinning ten plates and that at any second they are all going to come crashing to the ground?

Do you have big personalities and egos to deal with the make your life stressful?

Does the thought of conflict turn your guts into knots?

Are you working hard in your practice but not generating the return you deserve?

Are millennials driving you mad?

If any or all of the above questions apply, then watch the video below and read on.

Stop Herding Cats

As a manager in a hospital, you have a lot of frustrations and challenges that tear up your time and sanity. Blame culture, scheduling, dealing with conflict, finding good staff and staying sane are all everyday challenges.


If you don’t have the right leadership and management skills then you are going to spend each day feeling like you are pushing a boulder up a hill, or herding cats. In fact, studies show that teams with poor leaders experience less happiness (in fact they are generally miserable and burned out), deliver lower profits and poorer standards of clinical care. 


But, it doesn’t have to be like this. Whether you are a newly promoted manager, thrown in at the deep end, or a veteran practice owner struggling to lead millennials, VetX:Leaders will help.


In this unique program, leadership expert, Dr Dave Nicol, teaches the proven systems and shares the tools and documents that have allowed him to build multiple successful and happy veterinary businesses.

What You Get

VetX:Leaders receive the following benefits

  • Training

    There are 12 structured training sessions with quiz questions at the end to complete. These are complemented by a new training or interview with an expert each month. Dr Dave Nicol delivers or leads each of these sessions.

  • Tools & Templates

    These are the nuts and bolts that hold the system together. With each module comes a unique tool or framework for you to use. You will only be using materials that work, never reinventing the wheel from scratch.

  • Live Group Coaching

    Accountability is what many members love the most about the community. Showing up and owning your progress makes positive change inevitable. That, plus lots of encouragement and advice is what you'll get on our live sessions.

  • Accreditation

    When you complete the course and commit to building a culture where everyone thrives, you will become an accredited practice. This costs you nothing & help you stand out from the crowd in the recruitment scrum.

  • The Leaders Community Group

    The Leader's journey will not be lonely for you with our super -supportive Facebook group where your talented peers offer support, advice and share materials to help you stay on point.

  • Insane Value

    All accredited members will receive a 10% discount on any other products or services offered by VetX:International. This covers coaching, recruitment support or merchandise.

What You Will Learn

Starting with managing people, Dr Dave will teach you everything he has learned during a 15 year career in management about running high performing teams. Plus he'll share the documents, tools and templates he has created while building his practices. We'll be covering recruitment, onboarding, objective setting, creating behaviour standards, giving effective feedback, managing difficult employees, handling conflict, managing change and much, much more. But this is NOT a random walk through. This class is taught sequentially so you learn how to systematise these processes as well as learn the skills.
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Course curriculum

  • 1
    Welcome To Strategic Leaders
  • 2
    Vision & Strategy 1: Creating The Practice Vision
  • 3
    Vision & Strategy 2: Executing On The Vision
  • 4
    Performance 1: Values, Behaviour Standards & Culture
  • 5
    Performance Management 2 - Creating Objectives & The Right Measures
  • 6
    Performance Management 3 - The performance cycle, feedback and making your system work
  • 7
    Performance Management 4 - Managing Difficult Employees
  • 8
    Hiring The Right People 1 - The Job & Person Specifications
  • 9
    Hiring The Right People 2 – Generating Good Leads - Job Advert.
  • 10
    Hiring The Right People 3 - Ruling in good people and ruling out bad.
  • 11
    Hiring The Right People 4 - Interview Technique & On-boarding New Team Members
  • 12
    Leadership 1: 10 Principles For The Modern Team Leader
  • 13
    Leadership 2: Becoming A QUALITY Time Management Master
  • 14
    Leadership 3: Managing Millennials - Don't melt the snowflakes
  • 15
    Leadership 4: Avoiding Burnout & Building Resilience As The Leader
  • 16
    Leadership Mentor Vault
  • 17
    Recognising Risk and Reducing Suicide
  • 18
    Inspiration Station: Resources and Further Reading
  • 19
    The Rockstar Sessions - Your Live Monthly Training Recordings
  • 20
    Leaders Bonuses
  • Welcome To The Class READ ME FIRST - A User Guide to The Veterinary Leadership Academy by Dr. Dave Nicol Escape The Leadership Time Trap Paradox - Essential Watching The Veterinary Leadership Academy Values Event Schedule The Veterinary Leadership Academy Class Objective Setting The Veterinary Leadership Academy - Strategic Leaders - Copyright & Confidentiality Notice The Veterinary Leadership Open Office Hours Details The Veterinary Leadership Academy Learning Objectives
  • Objectives and Description Vision, Strategy and Execution Vision, Strategy & Execution Toolkit 1 Values Matrix Vision, Strategy and Execution Quiz
  • Objectives and Description Vision, Strategy and Execution Part 2 Vision, Strategy & Execution Toolkit 2 Vision, Strategy & Execution Example Vision Infographic Vision, Strategy and Execution Part 2 Quiz
  • Objectives and Description Performance 1: Values, Behaviour Standards & Culture Video Values & Behaviours Training Exercise & Examples Values, Behaviour Standards and Culture Toolkit Performance Management System 1 - Values & Behaviour statements Quiz
  • Objectives and Description Performance Management 2 - Creating Objectives & The Right Measures Objectives and Measures Toolkit Performance Management System 2 - Creating Objectives & The Right Measures Quiz Performance Management 2 - Objectives Builder Template Org Chart Template with Objective Examples in "Big 3" Style
  • Objectives and Description Performance Management 3 - The performance cycle, feedback and making your system work Triple Loop Leadership System Toolkit Performance Management System 3 - Checkins, feedback and making your system work Quiz Performance Management 3 - Triple Loop Leadership
  • Objectives and Description Performance 4 - Managing Difficult Employees Performance 4 - Managing Difficult Employees Toolkit Performance 4 - Managing Difficult Employees Quiz Performance 4 - Your Combat Conversations Checklist
  • Objectives and Description Hiring The Right People 1 - The Job & Person Specifications Hiring The Right People 1 - The Job & Person Specifications Toolkit Hiring The Right People 1 - The Person Specification Template & Job Design Questionaire Hiring The Right People 1 - The Job & Person Specifications Quiz
  • Objectives and Description Hiring The Right People 2 – Generating Good Leads - Job Advert. Hiring The Right People 2 – Toolkit Hiring The Right People 2 – Generating Good Leads - Job Advert Quiz
  • Objectives and Description Hiring The Right People 3 - Ruling in good people and ruling out bad. Hiring The Right People 3 - Toolkit Nurse Anaesthetic Video Task Example Hiring The Right People 3 - Ruling in good people and ruling out bad Quiz
  • Objectives and Description Hiring The Right People 4 - Interview Technique & On-boarding New Team Members Hiring The Right People 4a Toolkit - Interviewing Hiring The Right People 4b Toolkit - Onboarding Hiring The Right People 4 - Induction Checklist Template New Graduate Vet Skills Development Matrix New Team Member Onboarding Planner plus meeting scheduler for first 12-24 months Hiring The Right People 4 - Interview Technique & On-boarding New Team Members Quiz
  • Objectives and Description Leadership 1: 10 Principles For The Modern Team Leader Leadership 1: Modern Leaders Scorecard Toolkit Leadership 1: 9 Principles For The Modern Team Leader Quiz
  • Objectives and Description Leadership 2: Becoming A QUALITY Time Management Master Leadership 2: Time Masters Toolkit Leadership 2: Becoming A QUALITY Time Management Master Quiz
  • Objectives and Description Leadership 3: Managing Millennials - Don't melt the snowflakes Leadership 3: Managing Millennials - Don't melt the snowflakes Quiz
  • Objectives and Description Leadership 4: Avoiding Burnout & Building Resilience As The Leader Leaders 4: Your Burnout Level Questionnaire Leadership 4: Avoiding Burnout & Building Resilience As The Leader Quiz
  • Hot Seats Session 1: Performance Management Content Breakdown Hot Seats Session 1: Performance Management Hot Seats Session 2: Performance Management Hot Seats Session 3: Hiring Hot Seats 4: Hiring Hot Seats 5: Leadership Hot Seats 6: The Final Session October 2019 Hiring Hotseats October 2019 Performance Hotseats October 2019 Leadership Hotseats November 2019 Hiring Hotseats November 2019 Performance Hotseats December 2019 Hiring Hotseats December 2019 Performance Hotseats December 2019 Leadership Hotseats January 2020 Hiring Hotseats January 2020 Team Performance Hotseats January 2020 Grow The Leader In You Hotseats February 2020 Hiring Hotseats February 2020 Team Performance Hotseats March 2020 Hiring Hotseats March 2020 Team Performance Hotseats March 2020 Grow The Leader In You Hotseats April 2020 Hiring Hotseats April 2020 Team Performance Hotseats April 2020 Grow The Leader In You Hotseats May 2020 Hiring Hotseats May 2020 Team Performance Hotseats May 2020 Grow The Leader In You Hotseats June 2020 Hiring Hotseats June 2020 Team Performance Hotseats July 2020 Hiring Hotseats July 2020 Grow The Leader In You Hotseats July 2020 Hotseats August 2020 Hiring Hotseats August 2020 Grow The Leader In You Hotseats August Team Performance Hotseats September Hiring Hotseats 2020 September Team Performance Hotseats 2020 September Grow the Leader in You Hotseats 2020 October Hiring Hotseats 2020 October Team Performance Hotseats 2020 October Grow the Leader in You Hotseats 2020 November Hiring Hotseats 2020 November Team Performance Hotseats 2020 November Grow the Leader in You Hotseats December Hiring Hotseats 2020 December Team Performance Hotseats 2020 December Grow the Leader in You Hotseats 2020 January Hiring Hotseats 2021 January Team Performance Hotseats 2021 January Grow the Leader in You Hotseats 2021 February Hiring Hoteseats 2021 February Team Performance Hotseats 2021 February Grow the Leader in You Hotseats 2021 March Hiring Hotseats 2021 March Team Performance Hotseats 2021 March Grow the Leader in You Hotseats 2021 Leaders Hoseats April 7th Leaders Hotseats April 14th Leaders Hotseats April 21st Leaders Hotseats May 5th Leaders Hotseats May 12th Leaders Hotseats May 19th Leaders Hotseats June 2nd Leaders Hotseats June 16th Leaders Hotseats June 23rd Leaders Hotseats June 30th Leaders Hotseats July 7th Leaders Hotseats July 14th Leaders Hotseat July 21st Leaders Hotseat August 4th Leaders Hotseats August 18th Leaders Hotseat September 15th Leaders Hotseat September 22nd Leaders Hotseat October 6th Leaders Hotseat October 13th Leaders Hotseat November 3rd Leaders Hotseat November 10th Leaders Hotseat November 17th Leaders Hotseats December 1st Leaders Hotseats December 8th Leaders Hotseats December 15th Leaders Hotseats January 12th Leaders Hotseats January 19th Leaders Hotseats January 26th Leaders Hotseats February 2nd Leaders Hotseats February 9th Leaders Hotseats February 16th Leaders Hotseats 2nd March Leaders Hotseats 9th March Leaders Hotseats 16th March Leaders Hotseats 6th April Leaders Hotseats 13th April Leaders Hotseats 20th April Leaders Hotseats 27th April Leaders Hotseats 4th May Leaders Hotseats May 11th Leaders Hotseat May 18th Leaders Hotseat May 25th Leaders Hotseats June 1st Leaders Hotseats June 8th Leaders Hotseats June 15th Leaders Hotseats June 22nd Leaders Hotseats July 6th Leaders Hotseats July 12th Leaders Hotseats July 20th Leaders Hotseats July 27th Leaders Hotseats August 2nd Leaders Hotseats August 10th Leaders Hotseats August 17th Leaders Hotseats August 24th Leaders Hotseats September 7th Leaders Hotseats September 14th Leaders Hotseats September 21st Leaders Hotseats September 28th Leaders Hotseats October 5th Leaders Hotseats October 12th Leaders Hotseats October 19th Leaders Hotseats October 26th Leaders Hotseats November 2nd Leaders Hotseats November 9th Leaders Hotseats November 16th Leaders Hotseats 23rd November Leaders Hotseats 30th November Leaders Hotseats December 7th Leaders Hotseats December 14th Leaders Hotseats December 21st Leaders Hotseats January 4th 2023 Leaders Hotseats January 11th 2023 Leaders Hotseats January 18th 2023 Leaders Hotseats January 25th 2023 Leaders Hotseats Session February 1st 2023 Leaders Hotseats Session February 8th 2023 Leaders Hotseats Session February 16th 2023 Leaders Hotseats Session February 22nd 2023 Leaders Hotseats Session March 1st 2023 Leaders Hotseats Session 8th March 2023 Leaders Hotseats Session 15th March Leaders Hotseat Session 22nd March Leaders Hotseat Session April 5th Leaders Hotseat Session 12 April 2023 Leaders Hotseat Session 20th April 2023 Leaders Hotseat Session May 4th 2023 Leaders Hotseat Session May 11th 2023 Leaders Hotseat Session May 17th 2023 Leaders Hotseat Session May 24th 2023 Leaders Hotseat Session 7th June 2023 Leaders Hotseat Session June 14th 2023 Leaders Hotseat June 28th 2023 Leaders Hotseat Session July 5th 2023 Leaders Hotseat Session July 12th Leaders Hotseat Session July 19th 2023 Leaders Rockstar Session with David McCormick July 26th 2023 Leaders Hotseat Session August 2nd 2023 Leaders Hotseat August 16th 2023 Leaders Hotseat August 23rd 2023 Leaders Hotseat August 30th 2023 Leaders Hotseat September 6th 2023 Leaders Hotseat September 13th 2023 Leaders Hotseat September 19th 2023 Leaders Hotseat September 26th 2023 Leaders Hotseat October 3rd 2023 Leaders Hotseat October 10th 2023 Leaders Hotset October 17th 2023 Leaders Hotseat October 24th 2023 Leaders Hotseat November 8th 2023 Leaders Hotseat November 15th 2023 Leaders Hotseat November 22nd 2023 Leaders Hotseat November 29th 2023 Leaders Hotseat December 6th 2023 Leaders Hotseat December 13th 2023 Leaders Hotseat December 20th 2023 Leaders Hotseat January 2nd 2024 Leaders Hotseat January 15th 2024 Leaders Hotseat January 22nd 2024 Leaders Hotseat January 29th 2024 Leaders Hotseat February 6th 2024 Leaders Hotseat February 13th 2024 Leaders Hotseat February 20th 2024 Leaders Hotseat February 27th 2024 Leaders Hotseat 5th March 2024 Leaders Hotseat 12th March 2024 Leaders Hotseat 19th March 2024 Leaders Hotseat 26th March 2024 Leaders Hotseat 1st April 2024 Leaders Hotseat 16th April 2024 Leaders Hotseat 23rd April 2024 Leaders Hotseat 30th April 2024 Leaders Hotseat May 14th 2024 Stages of Practice Growth: What's Holding You Back? May 14th 2024 Leaders Hotseat May 22nd 2024 Leaders Hotseat May 28th 2024 Leaders Hotseat June 4th 2024 Leaders Hotseat June 11th 2024 Leaders Hotseat June 18th 2024 Leaders Hotseat June 25th 2024 Leaders Hotseat July 2nd 2024 Leaders Hotseat July 16th Leaders Hotseat July 30th 2024 Leaders Hotseat August 13th 2024 Open Office Hours - August 27th 2024 Open Office Hours - September 10th 2024 Open Office Hours - September 17th Open Office Hours - September 24th 2024
  • Recognising Risk and Reducing Suicide Webinar Recognising Risk and Reducing Suicide Tip Sheet
  • The Leaders Recommended Reading List Blunt Dissection Podcast Freewheelin' Youtube Show
  • Rockstar Session 23.10.19 Be More Snail Part 1 Rockstar Session 27.11.19 Be More Snail Part 2 Rockstar Session: Joshua French of Bailey & French Rockstar Session: Dr Marge Chandler - Exam Room Skills, Busting The Food Myths And Internet Hype Rockstar Session: Dr Steve Noonan March 2020 How To Deal With Stress, Anxiety and Manage Your Fear In Times Of Great Uncertainty Leading teams through times of big change (so that performance is maintained) Personal Branding For Vets Rockstar Session: Swimming Against the Tide - Dr Mary Gardner Investing In You - Dr Katie Ford Timewreck Time Managers Helping Owners Asses Quality of Life and Make End of Life Decisions - Dr Mary Gardner Mapping the Euthanasia Appointment - Dr Mary Gardner Conflict Resolution with Pet Owners - Debra Hamilton Managing Dogs & Demons - Dr Steve Noonan Dashboards & Data - Paolo Lencioni Time Management - Dr Dave Nicol Post COVID-19: Embracing change and fostering optimism - Dr Lori Kogan Boundaries and Healthy Habits - Dr Lori Kogan Dealing With Imposter Syndrome - Dr Lori Kogan The Road Less Travelled - What I Learned About Vet Med From My Life On The Road - Dr Caroline Murray Getting In Front - How To Plan Work Strategically So You Stay One Step Ahead - Dr Dave Nicol A Walk on the Wild Side - Dr Jamil Dowling Rockstar Session 23rd March: Managing Stress for Sustainable Careers Rockstar Session July 26th 2023: David McCormick - Practice Financial Health Rockstar Session November 29th 2023: Dr. Matthew Salois and Martin Traub-Werner - Independent Practices
  • Find Your Zone of Genius Transformational Exercise The Four Cs of Financial Folly

Are You Ready?

It's time to plot a new course and work on your practice, not in it! The practice and life you want starts here.

Take back control today

Meet Your Instructor

Dr Dave Nicol BVMS, CertMgmt, MRCVS

Dr. Dave Nicol is one of the veterinary industry's leading voices on leadership and practice management. He has been operating veterinary practices across the world for the past two decades and over that time has built a unique system of leadership that will bring help you create a vision, build the team and get everyone working together to make your dream come true. He is an author, prolific podcaster, and vet practice owner. He will also be your guide on your journey through the Leader's Landscape. In 2019 he was voted practice management speaker of the year at VMX, the world's largest vet conference, and has been invited to speak at events all over the planet. His personal mission is to help humans get along, so workplaces thrive.
Meet Your Instructor

You've Found Your Tribe

You've probably taken a few management courses by now, but still nothing seems to work. Leaders is the place people come when they are ready to get serious about running their practice effectively - without having a nervous breakdown.

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What People Are Saying About Leaders

Leaders is for people who are willing to do the hard work others won't to make change happen and their practices better.

  • Outstanding!

    Robert Turmel

    I was promised it would be transformational and it hasn't disappointed. This is my Ettinger for leadership!

    I was promised it would be transformational and it hasn't disappointed. This is my Ettinger for leadership!

    Read Less

  • Performance Management Series on Leadership

    Cheryl Haugo

    Dr Nichol has presented a challenging and intense course which has so far been outstanding and helpful from the very start. It has not been easy nor in any w...

    Read More

    Dr Nichol has presented a challenging and intense course which has so far been outstanding and helpful from the very start. It has not been easy nor in any way reiteration of the same old stuff. Although some ideas remain foundations of leadership, there are also new and innovative ideas as well. Dave provides insight and guidance to allow us to find our own right way. I feel it has been well worth my time and energy so far and have every trust that the remainder of the course will be as well.

    Read Less

  • Performance Management 3 - Performance Cycle, Feedback...

    Saye Clement

    So first off, apologies for being truant the last month or so... there's been some stuff happening and I really needed to clear out some mental acreage in m...

    Read More

    So first off, apologies for being truant the last month or so... there's been some stuff happening and I really needed to clear out some mental acreage in my brain to handle this course. It is incredibly interesting to me (and possibly a tad bit scary) that you and I have managed to implement the same feedback methods in our independent practices. I'm also realizing that I need to frame this feedback into the bigger global picture for my team. I've been hearing that comment from my middle managers and some team members for a while and haven't known how to fix it because I thought I had been clear in my goals. It's now inherently clear to me that I've skipped a pretty critical step in the process and I need to go back and communicate the foundation blocks to everyone (which of course means I have to write the damn things to start). Growth mindset point for me that that I've now actually booked myself some time each month to review my practice goals and keep them up to date for myself, so that I can roll them out to the team at appropriate time points. All that I'm going to say is that small point alone has been worth every penny of what I've spent on this course. It just crystallized that I am doing the right stuff and going back and filling in that missed step will make it so much better! With regards to liver treats - I am currently training a new sheltie puppy - very unique in that she doesn't learn by following liver treats around (like all of my previous dogs). She couldn't figure out how to sit for 3 months (and I consider myself to be a good dog trainer)... back to conscious incompetence for me... I knew she wasn't the problem, she's bloody smart. My dog trainer and I have finally realized that she learns by capturing behaviour. So basically, I'm pretty constantly armed with a clicker and treats, and whenever she inadvertently performs a behaviour that I like, I have to reward it. Debating the merits of carrying clicker and chocolate for my team at work... thanks again! Saye

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  • Leaders Core Modules

    Brenda Buchanan

    Great course

    Great course

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Let's Build aPractice You Love - Together!

Get off your hamster wheel, take control of your practice and build the team around your amazing vision. Join Leaders today.

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