Feb 13 2025 26 mins 5
Welcome to the latest episode of VHMA in which we are happy to have Alex Flinkstrom, Practice Manager at Lunenburg Veterinary Hospital in Lunenburg, Massachusetts. Alex has managed to combine his background in sound recording with his deep-rooted passion for veterinary care, successfully leading the practice while retaining 100% of his staff, and outside of work, he enjoys saxophone repair, audio, and street hockey. He joins today to discuss managing employees who have disabilities.
Alex discusses how managing a veterinary team is never one-size-fits-all and how, when it comes to supporting employees with disabilities, inclusivity and flexibility can make all the difference. He shares his approach to building a workplace where everyone can thrive, and from his early days working in his parents’ practice to leading a successful partnership with Associated Veterinary Partners, Alex shares how he’s built a strong, dedicated team - retaining 100% of his staff through major transitions!
We also explore the unique strengths that employees with disabilities bring to the table and the accommodations that can help them succeed, including a remote-work solution that has kept a valued team member engaged for over a decade. Alex, in addition, shares the challenges of balancing fairness with flexibility, the power of hiring for attitude over experience, and the importance of creating a workspace environment where every team member feels empowered.
Whether you are a veterinary professional or a leader in any industry, Alex offers some valuable insights into employee retention, training, and building a supportive, high-performing team, so listen in for a discussion that might just challenge the way you think about workplace inclusivity!
Show Notes:
[2:18] - Alex reveals that he values building strong teams, recognizing diverse skills, and supporting all employees.
[4:35] - Supporting and being flexible with employees leads to retention and workplace morale.
[5:23] - Alex takes pride in high staff retention, regarding career growth as a good reason for turnover.
[7:42] - Hear about how Alex created a remote position for an employee with a disability, allowing her to remain a valued team member.
[10:18] - It's important to balance accommodations with fairness, ensuring that all employees benefit from workplace adjustments.
[11:10] - Alex believes in treating employees as he’d want to be treated while balancing fairness and flexibility.
[12:56] - Discipline, accountability, and strong communication are necessary for a successful workplace.
[14:03] - Facilitating a positive work culture involves diverse teaching methods.
[16:50] - Employees who understand the reasoning behind tasks can adapt and solve problems in new situations.
[17:36] - Jill values training led by peers, finding that employees engage more when learning from direct coworkers.
[19:54] - Watching experienced employees teach newer staff is exciting as it reinforces teamwork.
[21:07] - We learn that Alex hires based on attitude and passion.
[24:12] - Alex prioritizes developing employees' strengths while encouraging growth in areas where they struggle.
[25:02] - Jill finds fulfillment in seeing employees learn, grow, and succeed within and beyond the practice.
Thank you for listening. Remember you are not in this alone. Visit our website for more resources.
