013:The Top 3 Communication Behaviors Behind Every Unicorn Clinic: Why Relational Maintenance Mat...

Описание: In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh dig into what really sits behind so-called “unicorn clinics”—and it turns out it is not luck, perks, or fairy dust. It is communication.


Grounded in a 2012 study by communication scholars Paul Madlock and Melanie Booth-Butterfield, this conversation explores relational maintenance: the everyday communication behaviors coworkers use to stay connected, supported, and resilient at work.


Through real veterinary examples, leadership reflections, and a few well-placed dad jokes, this episode breaks down the science behind thriving teams and highlights the top three communication behaviors most strongly linked to job satisfaction, commitment, and wellbeing.


You’ll hear:

• What people actually mean when they talk about a “unicorn clinic”
• The seven relational maintenance strategies coworkers use to sustain strong relationships
• The top three communication behaviors most predictive of thriving teams
• Why positivity, shared effort, and healthy conflict repair matter more than we realize
• How these behaviors meet core human needs for belonging, care, and influence
• What this research means for veterinary leaders and teams who want to renovate their culture intentionally

Whether you are searching for a unicorn clinic—or hoping to build one from the inside out—this episode offers science-backed insight and practical perspective on how small, everyday communication choices can transform the way veterinary teams work, connect, and thrive.


Resource Links: 


Episode Article:


Title: The influence of relational maintenance strategies among coworkers
Authors: Paul Madlock and Melanie Booth-Butterfield


DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0021943611425237




Flourish Academy - Certificate in Cultivating Positive Team Communication (https://www.flourish.vet/programs/aca...)


Florida Man This Week - Opossum
(https://floridaman.com/florida-man-ar...) Oura ring - www.oura.com (http://www.oura.com)


Portlandia (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1780441) (TV series 2011-2018) 


What Do You Think? Reach out to us and let us know at [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])

Your Hosts:
Andi Davison LVT, CAPP, APPC (https://www.flourish.vet/andi)  


Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP

(https://www.flourish.vet/josh) At Flourish Veterinary Consulting (http://www.flourish.vet) we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth. 


Timestamps: 


00:00 Introduction: Building a Unicorn Clinic


00:54 Personal Anecdotes and Oura Ring Insights


02:33 3D Printing Adventures


06:21 The Magic of Unicorn Clinics


13:45 Relational Maintenance Strategies


23:20 Real-Life Application of Team Strategies


24:34 Transformative Experience with a Surgery Team


27:29 The Role of Leaders in Team Dynamics


39:27 Practical Steps for Conflict Management


45:47 Unusual Florida Man Story


47:10 Closing Remarks and Listener Engagement