Dog-Inspired Leadership Posts
Create a culture that is true to your values
This past summer when I attended Suzanne Clothier’s workshop on fearful dogs, I had asked her how to curb Grace’s insistence to bark at any moving thing by our house. A car, person, animal, sometimes even a blowing twig, will incite Grace into thinking she had to protect us all with her sharp bark. In…
Read MoreWhy a dog matters to your leadership style
I’m in the midst of redesigning my website. One of the primary goals is to integrate this blog so it has the same look and feel as the website. Which means I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about how to articulate why this dog-inspired blog should beintegrated to my consulting practice. One might wonder…
Read MoreI still believe we can make a difference working together
Managers can create a workplace that has the spirit of giving all year long As Christmas approaches, visions of Santa Claus in his furry red suit are dancing in my head. My husband teases me that I should take Grace to get her photo taken with Santa (she would freak and he knows it, that’s…
Read MoreThings aren’t always as they seem
When you look quickly at this image on the right, what do you see? A prickly maned animal with round, inquisitive eyes? A petrified stone? Perhaps a tree carved by a beaver? My husband and I were walking in the woods and came across this critter. I first thought I saw an animal, frozen in…
Read MoreWhy you should be micro-managing
I really don’t enjoy digging into the minute details of a situation, especially when the data is mundane, technical, or complex. So you might be surprised when I tell you that I’ve been absorbed in analyzing the long list of ingredients found on dozens of dog food bags. (It certainly surprised me.) I mean, half…
Read MoreRecognition makes you feel good, among other things
We all know how good it feels when we receive recognition. It not only puts a smile on our face but it has other significant benefits, too. It motivates us to do more of what gave us the positive reinforcement and therefore increases our confidence. These are important aspects for productivity and happiness. The recognition…
Read MoreWhen you want to be successful, don’t try it alone
No great accomplishment is ever done alone. Certainly dogs rely on humans for many basic needs, but Grace started out living on the streets by herself. She found her own food and shelter; having enough self-preservation and willpower to do what she needed to survive. But even in those amazingly challenging times, I have no…
Read MoreTwo things to do when someone is ignoring you
There are times when I feel that Grace is ignoring me. (And I’m sure she does on occasion.) But mostly I think she just doesn’t always understand what I’m saying. What often looks to me as if she’s ignoring me is very likely a result of her not knowing what I’m saying. When she’s afraid…
Read MoreEnjoy lighter fare this Thanksgiving holiday
I’m recommending lighter fare this Thanksgiving. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not talking about the amount of food you eat. Pile your plate up high with all the turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, potatoes, and rolls that you want. Enjoy it all. I sure plan to. I’m talking about making sure you find time to have…
Read MoreWarning! There may be untapped potential all around you!
What is the potential for any dog? I doubt this question gets asked much by dog owners. Many of us bring a canine pal into our homes for companionship (nothing wrong with that!). But we probably don’t put a dedicated focus on helping them reach their own potential. We’re often more interested in having them…
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