In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh dig into one of the simplest—yet most underestimated—forces shaping veterinary culture: the experience of feeling genuinely heard at work.

Grounded in a massive meta-analytic review on perceived listening, they unpack how the quality of our listening predicts our workplace wellbeing. The punchline? Listening may be one of the most powerful (and affordable) culture renovation tools in vet med.

You don't need another meeting, a new communication policy, or a wellness budget to make this shift. Just a few intentional moments of curiosity, presence, and genuine interest can change how people show up — and how they show themselves in your hospital.

You’ll hear:

• Why veterinary teams listen beautifully in the exam room but struggle to listen to each other
• The science behind perceived listening — and why it predicts performance, adaptability, and wellbeing
• How feeling “seen” fuels confidence, motivation, and commitment
• The role of curiosity in high-quality listening (and why it matters more than perfect phrasing)
• Practical, low-lift ways to build listening into your culture

Whether you lead a hospital, manage a shift, or support your team from the treatment floor, this episode offers practical steps to strengthen trust, reduce friction, and create a workplace where people genuinely feel heard.

Resource Links 

Episode Article

Title: A Meta-analytic Systematic Review and Theory of the Effects of Perceived Listening on Work Outcomes
Authors:Kluger, Avraham N. et al.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10869-023-09897-5

Introduction to Cultivating Positive Team Communication On Demand

Certificate in Cultivating Positive Team Communication Flourish Masterclass 

Florida Woman This Week - Contest

What Do You Think? Reach out to us and let us know at Info@flourish.vet

Your Hosts
Andi Davison LVT, CAPP, APPC 

Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP

At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth. 

Timestamps 

00:00 Intro: The Power of Being Heard

01:01 Office Upgrades and WFH Problems

04:31 The Importance of Listening in Veterinary Medicine

06:07 Imagining a Practice with Genuine Listening

10:07 The Science Behind High-Quality Listening

12:16 The Impact of Listening on Team Performance

14:09 Listening as a Tool 

16:41 Personal Reflections on Listening and Validation

19:27 Misunderstandings in Clinical Practice

20:33 A Day in the Life of a Busy Vet Clinic

22:38 Reflecting on the Near Miss

23:28 The Importance of Listening

24:14 Curiosity as a Listening Skill

26:03 Implementing Listening Practices

27:27 Measuring and Training Listening Skills

28:33 Observable Behaviors of Listening

33:05 Systematizing and Rewarding Listening

36:11 Florida Woman's Challenge

38:24 Conclusion and Farewell