Who was (or is) your best boss, and why?

RE: Who was (or is) your best boss, and why?

Julian Earl — Tue, 12 Dec 2017 11:26:40 GMT

Mark, it both pleases and saddens me to see Harvey mentioned because when I was working in Burnley as mentioned in my other post here, Harvey was a regular student seeing practice. He became quite a good friend and I kept in touch as best as possible. We visited him in Bakewell, and he visited here in Horncastle. I was very upset to hear that he had taken his own life. Harvey never wore his heart on his sleeve but surely he knew he had friends here??

I have to mention that in my book, Cows in Trees, anyone who has read the book and the last chapter read about "Henry and the bullock" Henry is in fact Harvey but I changed the name in case his family heard of it and were upset by his name in print. I am struggling to find Harvey's address in Crawshawbooth so that I can send them a complimentary copy for Harvey's son who never really knew his Dad. A tragic tale indeed. RIP Harvey.

RE: Who was (or is) your best boss, and why?

Martin Atkinson — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 17:02:04 GMT

[quote user="Julian Earl"]How many people keep in contact with bosses from thirty five years ago and can talk about old cases? [/quote]I kept in contact with Clive Matthews (his wife called me to let me know when he passed away) but not for advice. I'm sure this will earn me one star but one reason that I bought my own practice asap was because quite honestly all my bosses were average at best if not useless and once I'd developed my core skills I cannot think of any advice they could have given me which would have helped, they were all dinosaurs. The best bosses were the ones who kept out of my way and let me get on with it.

Now if I'd got the job with Trevor Turner it may have been different.

RE: Who was (or is) your best boss, and why?

Julian Earl — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 16:33:22 GMT

An additional thought: How many people keep in contact with bosses from thirty five years ago and can talk about old cases? I can with David and Brian and have commented that it shows what a good atmosphere they created that the staff are all still friends all of these years later. Would that happen in many jobs? I doubt it.

RE: Who was (or is) your best boss, and why?

Julian Earl — Mon, 11 Dec 2017 16:30:31 GMT

My best were my second two bosses after qualifying, in Burnley. David Greenhalgh and Brian Heal. My first was the late Stephen Jolley [RIP] who was over-bearing critical and unhelpful. He presented me with my first bitch to spey, an obese Labrador that proved a nightmare. Luckily the nurse was highly experienced and talented and helped me through it. But Mr Jolley complained that I was taking too long with operations but never offered to help me with any!

Then I moved and David and Brian were very different. Always helpful, supportive and encouraging. I am still in contact with them, mostly David whom I class as a good lifelong friend. I told myself to treat new grads like David treated me and not how Mr Jolley did.

So thank you David and Brian, you have my undying gratitude for your patience and support.

When I moved to Lincolnshire, my then bosses were also very supportive and encouraging now either retired or passed way. In any case, the key word to get my vote has been support and it cannot be over-valued!

RE: Who was (or is) your best boss, and why?

Anthony Todd — Fri, 08 Dec 2017 16:51:33 GMT

[quote user="Wren"]You and me both.[/quote]

Of no connection at all, rather to link the best vet [next to Trevor Turner BTW] and the Spectator article on the horse with the tendon

Uncle Clive [Matthews] took me quietly aside and asked why I hadn't given a spaniel that had bumped it's shoulder something when I visited the dog, as the owner had complained that I had "done nothing".

I tried to make sure I "did something" from then on....

RE: Who was (or is) your best boss, and why?

Wren — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 21:34:23 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]

[quote user="Mark Rowland"]The one who's name was second.[/quote]

I'm so right

[/quote]

You and me both. And how funny that 3 of the regulars on here originated from the same, small rural mixed practice. Although I already knew about Michael - I'm still recovering from when he saw practice with me!!

RE: Who was (or is) your best boss, and why?

Michael Woodhouse — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 21:19:29 GMT

[quote user="Mark Rowland"]The one who's name was second.[/quote]

I'm so right

RE: Who was (or is) your best boss, and why?

Clive Ansell — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 19:00:44 GMT

[quote user="Mark Rowland"]I used to release flatus in his office when he wasn't there (Hahaha god I hope he's not on here) :-))))))[/quote]

Always thought you were a bit of a dark horse. Funny

RE: Who was (or is) your best boss, and why?

Mark Rowland — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 18:07:31 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]

[quote user="Wren"]now I want to know which of the two partners you didn't get on with!![/quote]

I could hazard a guess having seen quite a bit of practice there.....

[/quote]

The one who's name was second.

I used to release flatus in his office when he wasn't there (Hahaha god I hope he's not on here) :-))))))

One day the practice manager remarked how there was always an odd smell in his office, I spat my tea out and had to tell her. She had one of the biggest laughing fits I've ever seen in a woman!!!!

RE: Who was (or is) your best boss, and why?

Michael Woodhouse — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 16:37:17 GMT

[quote user="Wren"]now I want to know which of the two partners you didn't get on with!![/quote]

I could hazard a guess having seen quite a bit of practice there.....

RE: Who was (or is) your best boss, and why?

Wren — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 15:52:00 GMT

[quote user="Mark Rowland"]You didn't live in that house on Staxton Hill did you? :-)[/quote]

No, I rapidly moved in with (and subsequently married) one of our farmers near Snainton . I know the house well though. I did 13 years at that practice, and now I want to know which of the two partners you didn't get on with!!

RE: Who was (or is) your best boss, and why?

Mark Rowland — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 15:46:38 GMT

[quote user="Wren"]

[quote user="Mark Rowland"]

However the senior assistant was a lovely guy called Harvey Pickup. A well rounded guy who taught me how to be a vet basically.

He sadly committed suicide some years later and when I went to look him up, the first thing I read was his obituary.

A real sad loss to veterinary medicine and I wanted to mention him here to honour his memory. A wonderful colleague and good friend to me. Im still sad that I could not have been there for him.

[/quote]

Our paths must nearly have crossed - I worked for many years in the practice where Harvey spent a good portion of his career. We weren't there at the same time, but he lived locally and I knew him well when he subsequently worked for DEFRA at Leeds. A tragedy indeed.

[/quote]

Amazing!

You didn't live in that house on Staxton Hill did you? :-)

RE: Who was (or is) your best boss, and why?

Wren — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 15:42:24 GMT

[quote user="Mark Rowland"]

However the senior assistant was a lovely guy called Harvey Pickup. A well rounded guy who taught me how to be a vet basically.

He sadly committed suicide some years later and when I went to look him up, the first thing I read was his obituary.

A real sad loss to veterinary medicine and I wanted to mention him here to honour his memory. A wonderful colleague and good friend to me. Im still sad that I could not have been there for him.

[/quote]

RE: Who was (or is) your best boss, and why?

Mark Rowland — Thu, 07 Dec 2017 13:42:27 GMT

My boss in my first job I did not like.

However the senior assistant was a lovely guy called Harvey Pickup. A well rounded guy who taught me how to be a vet basically.

He sadly committed suicide some years later and when I went to look him up, the first thing I read was his obituary.

A real sad loss to veterinary medicine and I wanted to mention him here to honour his memory. A wonderful colleague and good friend to me. Im still sad that I could not have been there for him.

RE: Who was (or is) your best boss, and why?

Sarah McGurk — Tue, 05 Dec 2017 14:45:44 GMT

Barry Cook was lovely! Happy memories!

RE: Who was (or is) your best boss, and why?

Tedders — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 22:36:48 GMT

This thread has reminded my that I really must write and tell a vet I used to see practice with in Stranraer over 25 years ago, Barry Cook, how much I appreciated him. We used to arrive on a farm and he would tell the farmer that I would be doing the lambing or whatever and as a result of his confidence, I would rise to the occasion. Whereas if I was out with a vet who didn't have any confidence in me, I would agree with them and cock it up totally!

RE: Who was (or is) your best boss, and why?

KMurphy — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 17:57:57 GMT

I married my first boss so I suppose I'd have to say it was him :)

RE: Who was (or is) your best boss, and why?

Anthony Todd — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 17:42:18 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]Clive Matthews [/quote]

Yup, plus one from me for Uncle Clive.

"would take me aside for a quiet piece of sage advice never telling me off or telling me I was wrong just suggesting there was a possibility another way."

Exactly!

Taught me all I've learned about client relations and the art of practice.

RE: Who was (or is) your best boss, and why?

Tracey Kernaghan — Mon, 04 Dec 2017 16:58:23 GMT

My best boss was my first - John Adams. What made him exceptional was his attitude. His attitude was "It's my name on the door."As a new graduate, knowing I could phone him in the middle of the night if I got stuck and not get my head bitten off, gave me the courage to tackle difficult cases even though most of the time, I wouldn't need to call him.

He taught me

1/the value of having different personalities on the team ("I know that you can't please everyone. Some clients aren't going to like me, that's why I employ you. I'd rather they see you than go to another practice.")

2/ about being a leader. When we were exceptionally short-staffed due to a tragedy, he automatically took the on-calls for the missing vets as well as his own and I had to beg him to let me share the increased workload. Not many bosses would say, "You're already working your --- off for me" when you offer to do an extra on call for free.

RE: Who was (or is) your best boss, and why?

Anthony Dennison — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 13:15:49 GMT

Not my boss per se, but the senior partner when I was seeing practice was a real big influence on me. Nigel Swayne - he's retired now I think but did spend some time on DC years back.

He was very old school in his mannerisms, but always kept up to date with CPD. His communication skills with clients was fantastic, could always defuse a situation, could switch from swearing like a pirate down the phone to a farmer to being the model gentleman with little old ladies.

He had a very relaxed attitude towards life but had a serious side under-running that so jobs were always done and he was always striving for his practice to be the best it could be. I must have been terribly annoying at the time, under his feet, asking all sorts of daft questions and being clinically awkward with new techniques. He loved having students, and was a great teacher.

Both him and the other senior partner, Duncan, had a big impression on me and the way I practice.

RE: Who was (or is) your best boss, and why?

J G Wray — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 12:49:44 GMT

She who must be obeyed

RE: Who was (or is) your best boss, and why?

Arlo Guthrie — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 10:49:37 GMT

[quote user="Sarah McGurk"]What a lovely thread Arlo.[/quote]

[quote user="Julie Innes"]Nice thread![/quote]

Thanks Call me a soppy git, but it's lovely to see people writing such kind words about each other (or themselves, in the case of Martin Atkinson )

Anyway, a couple of things:

Please do remember to link your post to any webpage where there is more info about the person you're talking about (their practice website, their facebook profile, their vetsurgeon profile or whatever). It brings a bit more colour and clarifies who you are talking about.

Second, try and pick out the single most important attribute which made or makes them exceptional. As I said, the purpose of this thread is as much to inspire new bosses as it is to recognise good ones. So the question is what do you think a new boss could learn from the person you're talking about?

RE: Who was (or is) your best boss, and why?

Julie Innes — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 08:53:13 GMT

Nice thread! I've got on pretty well with all my bosses (apart from the corporate I left after a year without a job to go to, and wondering if I actually wanted to be a vet any more!)

Still have a soft spot for my first boss , Davy Scott. We had many run-ins and squabbles, but he was invaluable support in my first couple of years, coming back cursing from a Tb test to check on my "bleeding" bitch spay ("that's bloody oozing, not bleeding!!") but still coming every time! One of the best tenets he taught me "It's amazing what heals" and I still hear that in my head now every time I see a horrific wound. The other one was (re doing random bloods etc) "If you look for something, you'll find something, but whether that helps you..." which taught me to think about what I was looking for and not follow lab results blindly.

We still exchange Christmas cards and letters 22 years on

RE: Who was (or is) your best boss, and why?

Sarah McGurk — Fri, 13 Oct 2017 07:04:38 GMT

What a lovely thread Arlo.

I’ve had a few wonderful bosses, but My favourite in a veterinary practice setting was my second boss, David McDowell

He was exceptional in that he started out with the attitude that he trusted that I would do my best and provided a platform where I could learn without fear of unreasonable criticism.

On my very first day in his practice, I injected a pony ‘intravenously‘ with Finadyne. The effect was spectacular. The animal fell off the end of my needle and landed in a heap on the ground. Happily it returned to consciousness and stood up only a few moments later, but those moments were perhaps, some of the longest I’ve ever experienced.

I drove back to the practice, wondering whether I would be sacked or that, at the very least, he would immediately jump to the conclusion I was useless. I walked into the office, only to hear David’s voice “I can’t agree with you there. I have every faith in her.” The owner was already on the phone complaining.

He discussed what had happened with me afterwards in a practical manner, without recrimination.

I was only six months qualified. All problems were approached with the same “These things happen to all of us” attitude that Arlo mentions above. He always encouraged us to follow through our own cases as well, though guidance was always available if required. I learned an enormous amount during my time there.

Sadly, I was young and naive and had no idea just how special David was. I left after a year to go into dairy practice, which had always been my aim, but there were many times I regretted not staying longer in Yorkshire.

RE: Who was (or is) your best boss, and why?

Bob Russell — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 13:39:26 GMT

Not really had many bosses but Ian Jackson (Wymondham) was my first. Don't remember him ever complaining when I got things wrong (as I did often!).

The other assistant crashed and wrote off his car when on duty. I arrived on foot to hear him discussing that crash only to have to admit i had totaled my car on the way in to work. I expected an explosion but it was an explosion of laughter!

Most influential would be Robin Hooper at Horam. I went from a partner to an assistant having pretty much lost all interest and confidence in the job. I was probably not the best assistant in the world but his skill and kindness helped me rebuild my life (he probably was never aware of this) following a very complicated period in my private life.

I suspect heart of hearts he was glad to see the back of me but it allowed me to set up on my own and I have lurched from one tax bill to the next ever since!