Every issue we have in the veterinary profession, locally and globally, can be solved with kindness.
I do not think it is more nuanced than that. I do not think some of our issues are too complex to be solved with kindness. I do not think there are exceptions. I do not think it is possible to solve anything with a different approach or that some people need a heavier hand or a less kind environment to do their job well and thrive and succeed professionally.
We found the drawer with all the Secret Penguin stickers you all! And this one - I love it.
And though I am holding up kindness as THE solution to well…everything…I do think that manifests differently in all sorts of situations. And I do realize some things are not solvable or do not have an easy fix. And that issues truly are complex and nuanced. I do think kindness needs to be the base from which we start. I would love to get your take on this.
Is kindness THE answer or part of the answer to the issues we face in veterinary medicine? Issues including team satisfaction and retention, talented and passionate people leaving the field, our mental health struggles, our dismally high suicide rates and substance abuse issues, conflict resolution - all of it.
Not all of it fixable, not all of it straight-forward or directly caused by unkindness by any means. But I do think kindness needs to be the base from which we approach all of it. Not all of it unique to our field, but we do have specific challenges, don’t you think?
On a spectrum of can’t hurt-might help to kindness being the solution to everything, where do you fall? Worth a try though right?
Bill and Felix
And YOU - you are the best of the best. Keep doing exactly what you are doing. Your kindness - to those on teams with you and to clients and patients and colleagues - is what makes this career so amazing and why I keep coming back. I love this profession - and the people in it - so much.
Oscar oscaring.
Happy New Year. I hope you are overwhelmed by kindness - and dog kisses - at every turn.
Oscar and Felix wishing you a Happy New Year!