Listen in this week as I chat with Joan McCue, CVPM - Veterinary Hospital Manager at VetCor in Aiken, South Carolina. Joan joins me to explore what it really feels like to step into leadership as an "outsider" and how that perspective can shape both trust and growth within a team. She reflects on her journey across three very different veterinary practices, from being completely new to the field to taking on major cultural and organizational shifts, and how each transition forced her to rebuild her confidence, credibility, and connection from the ground up. We talk openly about how isolating management can sometimes feel, especially when you're the only person in your role, and how that distance can be both uncomfortable but also necessary.

Joan and I dig into the reality that mistakes are unavoidable in leadership and that building trust often depends on how those mistakes are handled rather than avoiding them altogether, and she highlights the importance of creating a culture where staff feel safe learning, asking questions, and owning errors without fear of negative consequences, while I reflect on how involving teams in decision-making can strengthen investment even when it slows the process down. We also talk about the tension between being "friendly" and maintaining professional boundaries and how small human moments and shared understanding can help bridge that gap.

At the core of our discussion is the concept of change - how hard it is to introduce it, how quickly teams can resist it, and how important it is to balance fresh perspective with respect for existing culture. Joan highlights the advantage outsiders can bring via objectivity while also acknowledging the imposter syndrome and confidence struggles that often come with stepping into leadership roles, and we also explore when it may be time to leave a practice, recognizing that misalignment in values can't always be fixed.

Joan leaves us with a reminder that leadership doesn't have to be a solo experience, even when the role itself feels solitary. Finding a support system or your "tribe" is so important for staying grounded, sharing challenges, and growing as a manager! Enjoy my conversation with Joan McCue! Show Notes: [0:35] - Today's sponsor is Black Diamond Radio! [0:53] - Welcome to the show, Joan McCue, CVPM! [2:37] - Joan discusses how practice managers are inherently outsiders and have to balance friendliness with professional distance. [4:42] - Joan has stepped into every role as an outsider facing unfamiliar systems and cultures. [7:51] - We talk about how leadership transitions require outsiders to build trust, overcome skepticism, and guide change carefully. [10:30] - It's important to remember that outsiders bring objectivity, build trust through inclusion, and help teams co-create change. [13:44] - Joan argues that trust grows when leaders show their human side, own mistakes, and communicate openly. [16:14] - We build trust by normalizing mistakes and focusing on learning, not punishment, in team growth. [19:11] - Change timing depends on context, requiring careful judgment and avoiding rushed decisions. [21:50] - Hear how confidence helps leaders balance authority, imposter syndrome, and growing responsibility in management roles. [25:21] - Joan reflects on how job changes are often rooted in misalignment, burnout signals, and values that no longer fit the workplace. [27:23] - Joan and I talk about how veterinary management job changes are rare, challenging, and can feel isolating, making support networks especially important. [29:48] - I point out that strong peer networks are crucial for managers to fight isolation and share real-time support.

Thank you for listening. Remember you are not in this alone. Visit our website for more resources. Links and Resources: