Why I’ve Learned to Lean Into Feedback

As a veterinarian, you never stop learning. New research, new protocols, new expectations, from pet parents, colleagues, and your own standards. Add in the unexpected (which shows up daily in veterinary medicine), and you realize pretty quickly: if you’re not open to feedback, you’re not growing.

It took me a few years in practice to shift my mindset from “I hope I got it right” to “How can I do this better next time?” But that shift, fueled by feedback, has made me a more confident, collaborative, and effective vet. It’s also changed how I show up in another part of my life: as a drummer in a local band.

The two roles might seem worlds apart, but both have taught me the same thing: feedback is a gift, and growth is a choice.

Weekly Reflection: The Habit That Changed My Practice

I used to finish a long day in the clinic and immediately jump into recovery mode, dinner, maybe a short walk, collapse into bed. But that pace left little room for reflection, and I found myself repeating the same frustrations, missing the same opportunities to improve.

Now, I make time once a week, usually Sunday afternoon, to sit down with a journal or laptop and reflect:

• What cases challenged me this week?
  
• Did I communicate clearly with pet parents?
  
• What did a technician teach me without realizing it?
  
• Where did I feel unsure—and how can I learn more?
  

This isn’t about beating myself up. It’s about staying intentional. Weekly reflection helps me celebrate small wins and pinpoint areas to grow. It reminds me that even after years in practice, I’m still a work in progress, and that’s something to be proud of.

From the Exam Room to the Rehearsal Room

Drumming has been part of my life even longer than veterinary medicine. I’ve played since I was a teenager, and these days I rehearse with a band most weeks. Like vet med, music is all about timing, teamwork, and responsiveness. You don’t play in isolation, you’re constantly adjusting to what others are doing.

The parallel I didn’t expect? How much constructive feedback in music helped me become more open to it at work. When a bandmate says, “Try the bridge with a lighter touch,” I don’t take it personally—I take it as part of making the whole song better. That mindset now shows up in the clinic, too. When a colleague suggests a different treatment plan or a client challenges my communication, I try to listen, not defend. Because we’re all working toward the same goal: helping the animal in front of us.

Constructive Criticism Builds Confidence

It sounds counterintuitive, but it’s true: the more constructive criticism I get, the more confident I become. Why? Because it means I’m surrounded by people who want me to succeed. Feedback, especially the kind that nudges you out of your comfort zone, is a sign of respect. It says, “I believe you can do even better.”

This holds true with my vet techs, my peers, and even my clients. I’ve learned to ask:

• “Was that explanation clear?”
  
• “Do you feel we addressed your concerns?”
  
• “What would you like us to do differently next time?”
  

Sometimes the answers sting. But they always help me sharpen my approach—and serve my patients better.

A Culture of Feedback Starts With You

Veterinary medicine can feel isolating if you’re not intentional about connection. That’s why I try to normalize feedback with my team. I make it a habit to ask for it, thank people when they offer it, and share what I’m working on improving. I also offer positive feedback as much as I can, especially to newer vets and techs. We all need to hear, “You did that well” just as much as “Here’s how to improve.”

When feedback flows both ways, everyone feels safer to learn, grow, and be human. And let’s be honest—no one goes into vet med to be perfect. We go into it to make a difference. That takes humility and community.

Lifelong Learning, On the Job and Off the Stage

Whether I’m at a continuing ed seminar or learning a new drum pattern, I try to approach it all with the same mindset: be teachable. There’s always something to refine, something to rethink, something to try again. That mindset keeps my practice evolving, and makes the hard days feel meaningful.

And just like in drumming, you can’t improve if you never miss a beat. The stumbles are part of the learning. What matters is whether you show up the next day ready to adjust.

Final Take: Keep Listening, Keep Growing

Being a vet isn’t about always getting it right, it’s about getting better over time. Feedback helps me do that. It’s the throughline between my work, my music, and how I want to live my life.

So whether I’m navigating a tricky diagnosis or syncing with a bass player during a live show, I try to stay open, stay grounded, and keep learning.

If you’re not in the habit of asking for feedback, start small. Reflect weekly. Invite input. Make space for growth. It won’t always be comfortable, but it will always be worth it.