LEADERSHIP INTERVIEW

BY JENNIFER HOHLE

Carie Allred, DVMAssociate VeterinarianDVM, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine

BiographyDr. Carie Allred has been with VCA Oso Creek since August 2002. She came to VCA Oso Creek after serving in the US Army for 5 years through the Health Profession Scholarship Program. Having been an Army dependent, an active duty Army officer and now a Navy wife, she is sensitive to the needs of our military community and their pets. She loves to travel, and has lived in Germany, Japan and China, to name a few places. As a result, she loves foreign languages and speaks various levels of Chinese, French, and Italian.Dr. Allred has revolutionized dentistry at VCA Oso Creek. She has pursued advanced training in veterinary dentistry since 2003 and performs many advanced dental procedures such as surgical extractions, oral fracture repair, interceptive dentistry, mandibulectomy, vital pulpotomy and root canal therapy.

BIO CONTINUED

• . Dr. Allred has developed a passion for better pain management options, and is now certified in veterinary medical acupuncture, an evidence-based form of acupuncture. Her certification in veterinary medical acupuncture has enriched and enhanced the way she examines and treats her patients, with an emphasis on calm, gentle, but thorough palpation and observation, and making a connection with the patient and the owner. The results she sees with dry needling, electro-acupuncture and laser therapy have been immensely rewarding!Dr. Allred is a strong proponent of proactive, preventive medicine, both for her patients and herself! An avid fitness and diet nut, she participates in sprint triathlons with her husband, Duncan during the spring and summer. They have 3 Japanese Chin dogs that all came into their lives via rescue. Dr. Allred also proudly serves on the board and is a strong supporter of a local no-kill, no-cage cat shelter called The Cattery.

INTRODUCTION

• I interviewed Dr. Carie Allred. I have worked with her going on 11 years now and consider her a leader, vital professional to the community we live in, and a friend.

• How would you define leadership?• Providing guidance, support and example to a

team in order to achieve a common goal

• The most effective leaders are always investing in their strengths. What do you believe are your strengths as a leader?• Ability to stay calm in stressful situations, good at

multitasking and prioritizing, treating the people I'm leading with respect, taking initiative, generosity

• Each of us has our own unique way of thinking about leadership. What leaders have influenced you in your thinking about leadership? (Northouse, 2012, p. 14) •My father, my husband, Martin Luther King Jr,

Scott Vaughan, DVM, Dave Ramsey

• Think about your own leadership. Identify one trait, ability, skill or behavior that you could develop more fully to become a better leader. (Northouse, 2012, p. 14) • I need to be more comfortable with public

speaking, so I would say I need more courage

• How would staff and colleagues describe your leadership style? • I've been told I'm militant by one person, but I think

that is due to my confidence. Confident, fair, organized, efficient

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• Do you think leadership is something everyone can learn to do or, do you think it is a natural ability reserved for a few? (Northouse, 2012, p. 14)

• I don't think everyone is naturally able to lead, at least not well. Not all personalities are strong enough to provide the stability of a good leader, but weak leaders can become stronger with training and experience. Some people are natural born leaders, the rest of us are pushed into it reluctantly

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•What are the most important values and ethics you demonstrate as a leader?• Commitment and respect for my team and my

practice, applying thoughtful perspective to difficult situations

•What methods have you used to gain commitment from your team?• Giving them respect and compliments when

appropriate. Trusting them. Working as a part of the team, not separate from it.

• How do you deal with conflict in the workplace as a leader?• Probably one of my weaknesses, I tend to take

it to higher leadership. But I'll often try to see both sides and discuss it with those individuals

• How have you encouraged learning and development in other employees?• I've taken several people with me to conferences and

classes I thought they would enjoy, and did what I could to help financially with their trip. I've made requests to the corporation to help those individuals as well.

• How do you get others to accept your ideas?•With evidence and persistence•

• What is the difference between a leader and a manager?• Manager is a job title, a leader is a person that

organizes people and drives the direction of the organization

• How would go about getting cohesion among a team who disagree?• Sitting down together to discuss the

differences of opinion

• How do you motivate your team?• Make sure everyone has what they need to move forward:

food, energy, a minute to take a breath, correct tools, previous tasks completed. I check in to make sure we are all ready to move forward, then facilitate the next project. I try to understand what is going on with each individual and guide them in how to accomplish their tasks.

• How do you set an example to those on your team?• I'm willing to do the things I ask of others, and

I do things as I would expect of someone else

•What is the most difficult part of being a leader?• Being responsible for everything and everyone

• If you could meet anyone past or present and interview them about their leadership skills, who would you choose? Why?• Martin Luther King, Jr. He was passionate, intent, and

brave. I would also love to spend time with Dave Ramsey. He has clarity, kindness, integrity and has made mistakes but recovered from them.

REFERENCES

• Northouse, P. (2012). Introduction to leadership: Concepts and practice (2nd ed.). Los Angeles: Sage Publications.