Ask the Expert

Kathleen Ruby

About Kathleen Ruby »

Latest Posts

Veterinary Clinics in Transition: Melding Old & New Employees

Dr. Kathleen L. Ruby, Coeditor-in-Chief, November 17, 2009

Dear Editor:

"I've Taken the MBTI: What Job is Best for Me?"

Dr. Jeff Thoren, DVM, ACC, November 9, 2009

Dear Editor:

Taking the MBTI assessment has really opened my eyes! I would like to learn more about myself. I realize that I've been anxious about my job and now I'm understanding why (I am an INFJ & not sure my personality type matches my current role). Is there a book you can recommend?

-Betsy

Dear Betsy:

How to Fire Someone Gracefully

Jeff Thoren, DVM, ACC, November 3, 2009

Dear Editor:

What should we keep in mind when we present a 30-day notice to our associate to help maintain harmony and respect?

Dear Reader:

You are obviously approaching this decision in a thoughtful and considerate manner and your intention to maintain harmony and respect for all throughout the process, if it is also shared by your partner and practice manager, will go a long way toward insuring that you achieve your goal.

Best Veterinary Medicine = Best Financial Outcome

Dr. Rick DeBowes, Coeditor-in-Chief, October 29, 2009

Dear Editor,

I'm a practice manager. Your magazine talks a lot about being a great leader, but how does that help the bottom line? I'd like my employees to be happy but they also need to be productive. How can I ensure that we're all getting our needs met here?

Dear Reader,

What a great question...and glad you asked.

"My team member doesn't pull her weight..."

Dr. Kathleen Ruby, Coeditor-in-Chief, October 26, 2009

Dear Editor:

One of my team members doesn't pull her weight. She's lazy and is always chatting or taking cigarette breaks instead of doing what she's supposed to. She avoids the dirty jobs as much as possible.

When we work together I feel like I have to do everything, since I don't want to get blamed for tasks not being completed correctly or on time. I feel bad telling the boss about her behavior since she's a single mom and needs the paycheck, but what other option do I have?

Ask the Expert

Dr. Kathleen Ruby, Coeditor-in-chief, October 15, 2009

Hi Dr. Ruby:

I am in a unique situation at my job; I'm a full-time associate who has recently also taken on the overwhelming task of staff management. I've been at the practice for 3+ years and have seen a lack of leadership in that time that forced me to decide "if no one else is going to do it, then I need to." I want those who work with me to love being there like I do. I know I can't do my job if others aren't doing theirs. My ultimate goal is to create a sense of teamwork that has never been there before.

What Careers Are Best for Me?

Jeff Thoren, DVM, ACC, October 7, 2009

Dear Editor:

What careers are best for me? My MBTI personality type came back INTP. I am working as a receptionist, but I would like to do vet assisting.

Dear Reader:

Don't Quit! How to Have a Conversation That Saves Your Job

Dr. Kathleen Ruby, Coeditor-in-chief, September 23, 2009

Dear Editor:

I'm a new associate and I feel like the practice owner has been taking advantage of the fact that I'm the youngest doctor. Because I never say no to his requests he asks me to do things that he'd never ask the older veterinarians to do and he pushes the worst tasks and least desirable shifts on me.

In the beginning I was afraid to speak up and thought it was part of "paying my dues" but now I'm frustrated and ready to leave.

"My best producing doctor butts heads with others"

Dr. Kathleen Ruby, Coeditor-in-Chief, July 28, 2009

Dear Editor:

I’m a practice owner with a 4 doctor practice. More than half of the staff has been here over 10 years.

"How do I watch my wake?"

Dr. Kathleen Ruby, Coeditor-in-Chief, July 27, 2009

The following questions were posed during our webinar, "Watch Your Wake." If you missed the webinar, the concept of watching your wake has to do with self-management. If you imagine a boat traveling through still water, the wake is the disruption left behind the boat. This is a great metaphor for how our actions impact those we work with everyday. We all have a wake, and whether it is a positive or negative one is up to us. It is our job to make sure that we're self-managing effectively, so that our actions don't affect our coworkers, family, or friends in a negative manner.