You’ve worked tirelessly to get to where you are. Your dedication, discipline, sacrifice, and gritty perseverance have finally led you to a place of success. The knowledge you’ve gained is immense, and your expertise is recognized, respected, and revered.
Now, it’s time to give it all away.
Are you confused? Surprised? Putting a mental padlock on your intellectual property?
Relax. Let me explain why freely sharing your insights, ideas, and experiences is one of the most impactful things you can do—for yourself and the profession!
First, a free gift
If you’re a Ready, Vet, Go follower, you know that collaboration is one of my favorite ways to work. A recent example is the VetPartners Veterinary Team Utilization Guide—a collaborative effort between VetPartners members (myself included) to offer the industry a resource filled with practical, actionable insights and best practices—all completely free! I’m not exaggerating when I say this is essential knowledge that would take many lifetimes to gather.
Rather than simply a collection of tips or personal stories, the guide is designed as a practical tool for real, actionable change. Through self-assessments, readers can pinpoint challenges specific to their practices and set SMART goals to address them—because it’s not just about sharing knowledge but helping others own the information and apply it to their circumstances.
So, what’s to gain by handing over the keys to success? Let’s take a look.
5 Big reasons to share your knowledge
The VetPartners Veterinary Team Utilization Guide was a major undertaking, requiring time and effort from every contributor. Despite their busy schedules, each individual gave generously and enthusiastically because they recognize that the true value of knowledge lies not in what it gives us but in how we use it to support others.
Here are five reasons to stop gatekeeping and start sharing your knowledge with others.
#1: It strengthens the industry
When you share your expertise, you elevate those around you and create a ripple effect throughout the veterinary community. As an example, an action that may seem insignificant to you, such as sharing your knowledge of ultrasound or dentistry, can become the foundation of diagnostic or clinical confidence and greater independence for a younger veterinarian.
Instead of keeping these skills locked away to prevent them from being used elsewhere—and potentially taking your business along with them—we should recognize that sharing them can drive productivity, profitability, job satisfaction, and even better personal health. And, imagine if an associate shared this knowledge with their vet school peers. It could spark similar positive effects across practices nationwide!
With each piece of shared knowledge, no matter how small, we build a community of skilled professionals who support each other’s growth and ultimately enjoy greater collective expertise.
#2: It enhances your professional reputation
Gatekeeping your knowledge or expertise may seem like a competitive edge, but it can actually limit your professional growth. By sharing your “secrets” to help individuals on their journeys or, as in the case of the VetPartners guide, to uplift the entire profession, you build trust and connection, positioning yourself as more than an expert, but a true leader in the industry.
#3: It fosters innovation and progress
Your ideas may indeed be revolutionary, but even game-changing insights can be enhanced through collaboration. Sharing ideas sparks creativity, leading to new, innovative solutions and opportunities that may have once seemed impossible or unthinkable. Instead of fearing that your ideas, propositions, or theories will be stolen or harmed, consider that sharing them allows you to elevate their power and effect—creating a version even better than you could have imagined on your own. Plus, when you reach that point, it’s WAY more fun to celebrate as a team than by yourself!
#4: It helps build stronger networks
Speaking of teams, sharing your knowledge opens doors for new opportunities, meaningful professional relationships, and a deep network that’s packed with talent. Surrounding yourself with projects and people who challenge you is the best way to reach your professional potential and experience greater satisfaction in your work!
#5: It promotes continuous learning
While safeguarding your secrets can unintentionally lock you into a fixed mindset, sharing your knowledge encourages curiosity and fosters continual growth. Knowledge sharing is a two-way street—when you give generously, you also open yourself to receive knowledge in return. Rather than viewing expertise as a final destination or a singular achievement, continuous learning helps us see it as an ongoing and exciting journey—one that leads not to recognition but to something better: greater job satisfaction and a deeper sense of fulfillment.
Open the gates: What can you share?
Sharing our knowledge can make us feel vulnerable, as if we’re giving away parts of ourselves. Our instinct may be to withdraw and protect what we’ve worked hard to build. However, knowledge shouldn’t be kept to ourselves—especially in a profession that thrives on teamwork and collaboration. Instead, we should embrace every opportunity to share what we’ve found to be helpful, impactful, or simply practical. After all, you never know which piece of wisdom might be the one that changes everything for someone else—or for all of us!
Download your FREE VetPartners Veterinary Team Utilization Guide and check out Chapter 5: Mentorship Programs for helpful tips on being an effective and supportive mentor to your new associates!
Ready, Vet, Go Veterinary Mentorship is an innovative online program and community that helps new and early career veterinarians build confidence, gain independence, and experience greater joy. Visit our FAQ page to learn more about what we offer or get in touch with our team.