It’s Not What You Think
I hate to admit it, but two of the most downloaded episodes of the Podiatry Legends podcast were titled “Why I Left Podiatry (Parts 1 & 2).“
When I recorded them, I expected the usual answers.
Long hours, difficult patients, not getting paid enough and feeling burnt out.
But that wasn’t the reason. The common thread was isolation. The podiatrists who left the profession often weren’t deeply connected to it.
They didn’t have podiatry friends. They didn’t attend conferences or join professional groups. Basically, they didn’t feel part of something bigger.
To them, podiatry was just a job. And when a job gets hard, it’s easier to walk away.
Belonging Is a Retention Strategy
In my recent conversation with Michael Stephenson on the Podiatry Legends Podcast, we spoke about Tomorrow’s Podiatry and the importance of developing soft skills and community involvement early.
But beneath the surface, what we were really talking about was belonging and belonging creates resilience.
When you can call another podiatrist and say, “I had an absolute shocker today”, or attend an event and look forward to catching up with colleagues, you’re far less likely to quit when things get tough.
Connection builds commitment. Isolation builds exit plans.
Why This Matters for Clinic Owners
If you run a podiatry business and employ other podiatrists, it’s up to you to take leadership.
Ask yourself:
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Are you encouraging your team to take time away from the clinic to attend conferences and network?
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Are you creating an environment where people feel part of something meaningful?
A disconnected team member will turn up only when they need to, will treat patients with the bare minimum of care, and will go home as soon as it hits 5.30 pm. Eventually, they will disconnect from you and eventually the profession.
Good and bad clinic culture is not accidental. It’s designed. And as business owners, we’re designing it whether we realise it or not.
Professional Identity Starts Early
Students who develop soft skills, public speaking confidence and professional networks early build more than capability.
They build an identity. They don’t just see themselves as someone who treats feet, they see themselves as a podiatrist.
When someone’s identity strengthens, so does their loyalty to the profession.
Dig the Well Before You Need the Water
I’ve said it for years, “Dig the well before you need the water”.
Networking, mentoring and professional involvement shouldn’t begin when you’re starting to feel burnt out or frustrated.
It should start much earlier. The stronger your professional roots, the harder it is to be blown over.
Want to Strengthen Your Clinic Culture?
If this topic resonates with you, I encourage you to listen to the full episode with Michael Stephenson over on www.podiatrylegends.com. It’s a deeper dive into leadership, belonging, and why confidence compounds over time.
And if you’re reading this thinking, “I need to build a stronger culture, clearer leadership and more engagement inside my clinic,” then let’s talk, but I only work with podiatrists who are ambitious and want to make real change.
You can reach out to me directly through the contact page on this site, email me at tf@tysonfranklin.com, or use the link below to schedule a free 30-minute Zoom call.
But if you’re still not sure about scheduling a time to talk with me, that’s okay. Feel free to keep browsing my website.
You may even want to buy my book: It’s No Secret…There’s Money in Podiatry. ORDER HERE