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How to manage and resolve conflict
It is the leader's role to manage and resolve conflict.

Performance coach Katherine Eitel advises delegates at BSAVA Congress 

No one likes conflict, but it is the leader's role to manage and resolve it. Performance coach Katherine Eitel gave some excellent advice on how to do this in her lecture at BSAVA Congress in Birmingham (5-8 April).

She said before the leader/manager steps into a conflict conversation, they need to have decided what their role in the conflict has been and take on responsibility for this. They need to challenge their belief systems so that they behave in a truly neutral manner and handle the conversation from a positive place without negative thoughts.

When handling conflict conversations it is helpful to consider these four important words:

Gift - see conflict as a gift. Do not shy away from it, but see it as an opportunity to sort out a problem

Expectation - expect the conversation to go well and that at the very least you will learn from it

Choice - remember that everyone has a choice, but your standards are set in stone. If someone does choose not to follow them, perhaps they should choose a different job or role

Open - always remain open to the thought that your ideas are not necessarily the only right ones.

Katherine said there are a number of rules of engagement for conflict conversations.
There should be no 'talking backwards' - always move forward with issues.

No two people see the past equally, they will have their own versions of what might have occurred. It is important to accept this and move on to solutions rather than arguing.

Katherine also suggested using the following ARCH acronym:

A - agree to acknowledge any issues and find mutual goals
R - request a new agreement
C - clarify what has been agreed people do not always hear or understand what you think they do
H- always leave people with hope.

 

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VMG president joins House of Lords

News Story 1
 Miles Russell, president of the Veterinary Management Group (VMG), has been elected to the House of Lords as a crossbench hereditary peer.

He will join Lord Trees as a representative of the veterinary sector in the second chamber of the UK parliament.

Lord Russell said: "Those of us working in the animal health and veterinary sectors are only too aware of the importance of the work we do and the challenges we face.

"I will use my platform in the House of Lords to increase understanding of our sectors and to promote positive change." 

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News Shorts
Duchess of York stars in charity calendar

The National Foundation for Retired Service Animals (NFRSA) has released its charity calendar for 2024, featuring Sarah, Duchess of York and a selection of the retired service animals the charity supports.

The 12 images were taken by animal photographer Gerry Slade and include retired police dogs and horses, a former border force detector dog, and a retired fire investigation and urban search and rescue dog.

Sarah, Duchess of York, who is a patron of the charity, appears alongside retired police dog Jessie in the photograph for December.

So far this year, the charity has given more than 40,000 in grants to help former service animals with their veterinary care. After retirement, they receive no financial support from the Government and obtaining affordable insurance can be difficult.