[embed]https://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/images/videos/Interview_with_Dr_Zeltzman.mp4[/embed] To participate in upcoming Veterinary Practice News polls, sign up for our weekly newsletter! They say there is power in language—and, as expected, this notion is especially true in the workplace. This strength of words (or lack thereof) was evident in the results of our recent reader poll. Based on “Top 10 ways to drive your nurses crazy” by VPN contributor Phil Zeltzman, DVM, DACVS, CVJ, Fear Free Certified, the survey begged the question: What’s the no. 1 thing that drives you crazy in the workplace? The majority of respondents (35 percent) agreed: When it comes to working as part of a team, poor communication is the pits. These results came as no surprise to Dr. Zeltzman. “[Poor communication] is definitely the source of most problems, both in a practice and in life in general,” he tells VPN. So what can practice managers do to overcome this challenge and foster an open, harmonious workplace? “It needs to be a conscious effort; it doesn’t just happen,” Zeltzman explains. “There needs to be a way to create time within busy schedules to open the door to better communication to the team.” For more—including different strategies for resolving workplace conflicts and tips for support staff members who feel they aren’t being heard—check out the exclusive interview below.
