How do I Embrace Neurodiversity as a Veterinary Leader?

We have so much to do as veterinary leaders, it can feel like spinning multiple plates simultaneously, but the plates are people’s actual livelihoods, and it really matters if we drop and break those kind of plates! As veterinary team members we are no strangers to great responsibility, we’re used to having the lives of animals and the expectations of owners in our hands, but taking on a leadership role can bring a whole new set of responsibilities, and sadly often we’re not given a whole lot of training before we’re expected to take the leadership reins. I’ve been there and I get it.

So, if I come to you as a veterinary leader and say that as well as all that leadership stuff, and clinical stuff you’re doing, you need to learn all about neurodiversity and how to manage different types of brains in your teams, you might justifiably tell me where to go!

But also I know, that you’re a leader who’s trying to do their absolute best for their team and “I CAN HELP YOU”! Because this will actually make your life so much easier. I’ve been there and I’ve done this stuff and I’m going to guide you through it, so you don’t have to worry about it.

Essentially, the biggest thing that you can do to embrace and celebrate neurodiversity in your team is to educate yourself and them. You can do some CPD on it and there’s a link at the bottom of this article, easy!

Training is THE KEY to leading a neurodiverse team. And once you know a bit about neurodiversity, your whole team will be able to be more effective, more productive and most importantly…happier.

Let me just pause a minute to define neurodiversity. It refers to all of us! Neurodiversity is everyone, the whole range of brains! Everyone in the world. Conversely, neurodivergence (I know the words are very similar!) refers to people with a neurodivergent condition like ADHD, dyslexia and autism (other neurodivergent conditions are available).

So, just to be clear, we’re talking about learning about neurodiversity here, so your whole team. We’re talking about how to tweak your work environment so that all brains can work to their best potential. As part of that we need to learn about neurodivergent conditions, because those of us with ND conditions make up 20% of the UK population, so probably 20% of your team, but neurodiversity training will benefit everyone.

Let’s just think for a minute about the benefits that neurodiversity training could bring to your practice. One thing we will teach you is about communication differences between, neurodivergent and neurotypical people. For example, did you know that neurodivergent people can sometimes appear to be blunt, without meaning to be? If you have a person on your team with a tendency to speak directly (some autistic people have this trait) how much would it help you as their leader if you understood this and knew that the person wasn’t being intentionally rude? If you get some neurodiversity training for your team, how much would it help ease those awkward interactions if they understood this? Would it make their day, and your day easier and reduce the likelihood of this interaction escalating? Would all parties be able to bring more compassion to that situation? I think they would.

There’s loads more to learn about communication differences, that’s just one example.

How about if you have someone on your team who has ADHD? They struggle with time management and are sometimes late for work. If you understood this as a leader, you might be able to co-create some solutions for them, without judgement. (Believe me, they already are carrying a lot of shame around this.) If your team understood this, it might make your life a whole lot easier too. (We can also provide this person with some ADHD coaching to help them to manage their time better, but there’s another whole blog topic there!)

Now let’s think about two members of your team who are neurotypical. The first person (let’s call her Liz) is struggling at work because they don’t enjoy doing routine neuters. Liz is bored and disengaged at work because she ends up doing a lot of this type of work. Liz’s colleague, however (we’ll call her Jane), thrives on routine and really enjoys neutering, Jane could chop balls off all day and go home very happy! Conversely, Liz loves ECC work, and it really stresses Jane out.

I’m sure you can think of some solutions for these guys, and how you could tweak the rota if you were leading them. But the point that I’m making is that if you learn a bit more about neurodiversity and think about how our brains work individually and as a team, you can enable your team to perform much better.

If you can think of some solutions for Liz, Jane, our colleague with a tendency to be blunt and our friend with time management problems, your team will then be free to perform at their best. If Liz can manage a few emergency cases every week, she’s going to be able to put up with a fair bit of neutering alongside that. And because she has more job satisfaction, she’s not going to be dragging her feet about doing the neuters. You’re also more likely to retain her in her job (and we all know how expensive and time consuming recruitment is).

So, that’s why training is the key to leading your neurodiverse team. We can give you and your team insights that will breed compassion, and tools to help you to understand and make the most of your team’s strengths and abilities. Luckily, we have leadership CPD for you! Our Neurodiversity for Veterinary Leaders CPD is an online full day course and runs throughout the year at only £250 per person. You can book on our website at www.thevetproject.co.uk/workshopsandcourses

We also have Neurodiversity Practice Training full and half days for the whole team where we will come into your practice and tailor the training to your team’s requirements. There’s also an online version of this. Drop us an email on info@thevetproject.co.uk and we can discuss your requirements as well as dates and prices.

We can’t wait to see you soon and to help you to find the small things that you can do in your practice that will make a big difference to your team!

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