The Four Milestones of the Veterinary Leader Growth Cycle

When it comes to leadership, many assume it's an innate trait, either present from birth or forever out of reach. However, I firmly believe that leadership is a skill that can be cultivated with the right mindset: a willingness to learn, practice, and confront challenges head-on. The path to becoming a leader demands personal growth from everyone; no one is exempt. Like a living art form, leadership constantly evolves alongside us.

In my work, I draw inspiration from Joseph Campbell's "The Hero's Journey," a concept that beautifully mirrors the twists and turns of life, infusing every moment with purpose and meaning. It's from this idea that I've identified four key milestones in the journey of leadership growth.

1. The Call to Grow

The call to grow can catch us by surprise, emerging at unexpected times. One moment, we may be content with the status quo, focused on our career's steady progression. Then, out of the blue, a restless urge stirs within, compelling us toward something more significant, something that leaves a lasting impact.

For many vets, this call arrives around the three to five year mark, after building a solid foundation of knowledge and experience. It becomes a persistent itch that clinical work alone can't soothe. This yearning drives them to create positive change, make a difference, and have a broader impact. It's the moment when the idea of stepping into a leadership position starts to take shape.

Interestingly, established leaders experience this call too. At some point in their careers, they find themselves saying, "This isn't enough; I want to do more." Their ambition extends beyond improving their own practice; they're driven to effect change on a grander scale, creating a healthier, happier career path for the next generation of vets.

Answering the call to grow is not without its challenges. The voice of doubt may whisper, "You're not ready; you lack experience." Stepping into a leadership role is a leap into the unknown, and the temptation to remain in the familiar comfort zone can be strong. Yet, those who dare to answer the call are propelled into the next stage of the leadership journey.

2. Defining Your Future

Defining your future as a leader requires profound clarity about your purpose and how you want to make a difference in the world.

If you're stepping into leadership for the first time, it's about crafting a vision that encompasses:

• The leader you want to become,
• Your core values,
• How you want to present yourself to others,
• The outcomes you strive to achieve.

For established veterinary leaders, defining the future means embracing a natural evolution as a leader while embracing a broader mission that ignites their passion. This entails envisioning their contribution to the profession, striving to make a meaningful difference, and envisioning the ultimate outcome they seek.

Once your future vision is defined, it becomes your compass, guiding your steps and decisions. While it's natural to feel frustrated by uncertainty and the unknowns that lie ahead, remember that visions evolve and reveal their missing pieces over time, much like completing a jigsaw puzzle.

3. Clearing the Path

Clearing the path involves overcoming obstacles that stand in the way of your leadership vision.

Common barriers include the fear of failure and the unknown, limiting behaviours like self-sabotage and perfectionism, and beliefs such as "I'm not good enough" or "Who am I to take on this role?"

Self-awareness is a critical component of this stage, achieved through self-reflection. The journey of leadership is a journey of self-discovery, illuminating aspects of ourselves we may not have known existed and tapping into hidden inner resources.

Yet, obstacles can sometimes be blind spots, challenging us to accept change and lean into the uncomfortable. Embracing growth requires trust, surrender, and expanding the boundaries of our comfort zones.

4. Emerge

Having navigated the call to grow, defined your future, and cleared the path, you emerge as the hero of your leadership journey. You have evolved as a person, acquired new skills, and found fresh perspectives and solutions.

The emergence marks the beginning of a new phase in your leadership growth. After integrating your newfound knowledge and experiences, you embark on the journey again, seeking to elevate your leadership to new heights.

It's important to understand that this growth cycle isn't linear. You may find yourself bouncing between milestones and revisiting previous steps as you uncover more about yourself and your leadership potential.

If the concept of these four leadership milestones has piqued your interest, and you wish to explore them further and learn how I integrate them into my coaching, I'd be thrilled to hear from you. Let's embrace the journey of leadership together.

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