In this episode of the Veterinary Leadership Success Show, I’m joined by Dr. Mark Reeve, second-generation practice owner of Tea Tree Gully Veterinary Hospital in South Australia. Mark’s approach to team development is anything but traditional—and it’s paying off in spades.

What started as a frustration with stagnant nursing careers and dusty procedure manuals became a mission to revolutionize learning in his clinic. Inspired by the leadership playbook Turn the Ship Around by David Marquet, Mark and his team have built a powerful in-house certification program that’s giving his nurses real direction, satisfaction, and career momentum.

From ditching the 200-page ops manual to introducing 60+ micro-certifications tied directly to pay and performance, Mark shares exactly how his practice transformed learning into a dynamic, gamified system that’s increasing retention, boosting skill levels, and creating a culture of repeatable excellence.

If you want your team to love learning, feel empowered, and stick around for the long haul—this episode is a must-listen.

Episode Outline: 

• [00:00 ] – Skills as Procedures
• [01:00 ] – Meet Dr. Mark Reeve: Second-gen vet and practice owner in Adelaide
• [03:20 ] – From James Herriot Roots to Modern Leadership
• [04:30 ] – The Problem: No CPD, no progression, high nurse attrition
• [05:50 ] – Enter Turn the Ship Around: A Navy-inspired pivot to career pathways
• [07:10 ] – Turning a Dusty Procedure Manual into 60+ Micro-Certificates
• [08:45 ] – Monthly Recognition, Mentorship, and Real Accountability
• [10:00 ] – Retention, Repeatability, and Pay Tied to Progress
• [11:45 ] – A Fairer, More Transparent Career Path (No More Tenure Bias)
• [14:00 ] – Going Beyond Basic Roles: Consulting, Clinics, Anesthesia & More
• [17:00 ] – The Impact on Training ROI & Vet Skill Uptake
• [20:00 ] – Curriculum Creation on the Fly—And Why Alpha Testing Works
• [25:30 ] – Certificates Built by Nurses, for Nurses
• [27:00 ] – Why Mark Doesn’t Worry About Recruitment Anymore
• [29:15 ] – Soft Skills, Client Care & Team Ownership
• [31:00 ] – Scaling Learning with ChatGPT & Automation (Future Vision)
• [34:30 ] – The Power of Procedural Thinking
• [36:30 ] – From Lip Service to Long-Term Success Plans
• [38:15 ] – “Everyone Comes Home”: How Mark Built an Alumni Culture
• [39:45 ] – Building a Pipeline from High School to Hospital Leadership

Resources:

Book Mentioned: Turn the Ship Around by David Marquet

Connect with Dr. Mark Reeve:

Tea Tree Gulley Veterinary Hospital: https://www.ttgvet.com.au

Dr. Mark Reeve on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-reeve-a3419068/

Follow Dr. Dave Nicol for More Leadership Insights:

Follow Dave: @drdavenicol

Learn more about Veterinary Leadership Training: Veterinary Leadership Academy

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