The key to joy and excellence at work

Vet Times

This article focuses on how important team culture is to joy in work.

Quality improvement Communication and teamwork

New research shows that our team is at the heart of what keeps UK veterinary professionals coming back to work, day after day – but a strong team spirit can also drive consistently excellent care.

We realised that to improve our workplace culture and re-find our joy, we needed a plan! The leadership team adopted the Joy in Work framework to empower team members to identify workplace challenges, action solutions and re-join decision-making. The team really enjoyed the “What matters to you” sessions that we ran. They identified four ‘pebbles in their shoes’ which were addressed with measures they suggested. We now have a fortnightly ‘What matters to you’ meeting, a Joy in Work board listing pebbles in progress, and a ‘pebbles pouch’ for further suggestions. Many team members now feel more engaged in helping set the practice direction, and that they have a productive way to address day-to-day niggles.”
Jenny Brown, Senior Clinical Director, Active VetCare Bracken

What this article covers

The fifth article in this series focuses on the importance of teamwork and team culture to joy and excellence in work. It demonstrates how simple actions can have a genuine effect on your team’s camaraderie, joy and performance, and how this is critically important to patient safety. The article covers:

the proven connections between camaraderie, joy and excellence
IHI’s definition of team spirit and examples of how this is demonstrated in practice
understanding of how camaraderie improves the quality of our work
practical steps all team members can take to improve team spirit and performance

Read the full article on Vet Times

Further resources

Re-finding our joy in work

This case example by Bracken Veterinary Centre focuses on re-finding Joy in Work by introducing ‘What Matters to You?’ meetings and following the Joy in Work framework. Following the initiative, the team felt more engaged and felt they were being listened to and the practice has a productive approach to addressing issues. This case example was awarded Highly Commended in the 2023 Knowledge Awards.

What matters to you: conversation guide for leaders

Adapted from the original IHI framework, this resource is intended to support leaders within the veterinary sector in introducing the Joy in Work concept to their teams. The conversation guide will support you in setting up initial and continuing conversations with your team to identify any workplace frustrations, or ‘pebbles in your shoes’, and to engage and empower the team to identify potential solutions.

What matters to you: an antidote to burnout

With demanding priorities to deliver the best possible care, it’s no wonder that veterinary professionals are concerned with stress and burnout within the profession. This presentation, recorded during the SPVS VMG Congress in May 2022, demonstrates how the Joy in Work framework can be used in veterinary settings, and the steps that can be taken to connect teams in meaning and purpose.

IHI Framework for improving joy in work

This white paper from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement is intended to serve as a guide to encourage engagement in the participative process where leaders ask colleagues at all levels of the organisation “What matters to you?” Register for free access.