Leadership Lessons from...Where?!
January 1, 2024
At this time of year, many posts are reflections on the past year and setting intentions for the future. I’m not going to do that.
As I reflected on what to write about, it occurred to me to share some leadership lessons I’ve recently learned from an unlikely source…
We Got a Dog
That’s right. We got a dog.
Not a puppy. But a dog.
He’s 10 years old, clocks in at a whopping 10.8 pounds, and was the “doodle” part of a breeder for goldendoodles on a farm. Now he’s retired and lives with us in the city.
Jojo has taught me some lessons these past two months, lessons that I think can be applied to leadership. What applications do you see to the leadership of your classroom, school, or district, or even in your family life?
Here’s a top #10 list, in David Letterman style, of Leadership Lessons from…A Dog:
#10: Old Dogs CAN Learn New Tricks
While it may be harder to learn new skills, age and experience isn’t an unsurmountable barrier. Jojo pretty quickly learned where his bed was, the timing of feedings, where he was allowed to go and not, plus a number of commands. He literally learned a whole host of new tricks in a pretty short period of time.
#9: There Are Some Good Things That Come from Experience
As a senior, Jojo was already house trained. This is HUGE! He had a few places where he marked (he wasn’t initially neutered), but largely we haven’t had to deal with this issue. Whoohoo!
#8: Not All Dogs Are The Same
Maybe a no-brainer, but it has definitely been a new learning for us. Our previous dog, an 80 pound labradoodle named Snickerdoodle (he largely went by Snickers), was calm, gentle, and eager to please and be trained. Jojo is close to the opposite. While his sweetness is similar, the differences are stark.
#7: Not All Treats Work For All
Snickers loved food. Jojo can give or take pretty much anything. We’ve figured out that one particular treat is a favorite, but other than that, food just isn’t a motivator.
#6: Ignoring Bad Behavior Can Have a Place
While we don’t want it to become commonplace, occasionally there’s a place for ignoring bad behavior–at least temporarily.
#5: Beware of Manipulation
Occasionally was the operative word in #6, and that’s because it seems Jojo can be good at manipulation. So we have to be aware of when to reward, when to praise, and when to simply ignore unwanted behaviors.
#4: Persistence
We’re getting into the top lessons learned, and this is a biggie. Jojo wants desperately to jump on the bed in the morning, and he is not allowed on furniture–at all. I’m afraid this leadership lesson is a big one that I’ve got to work on. After all, those warm blankets beckon even though I need to persist at getting out of bed, taking him potty, comforting him, giving him treats, and then after awhile getting back in bed.
Only to have to rinse and repeat a few minutes (or seconds) later…
#3: Don't Counter Aggressiveness with Aggression
Jojo barks. And because it doesn’t seem like he sees well, either, he barks at just about any movement he sees out our back sunroom facing a walking path.
While our initial reaction was to “bark back,” it wasn’t helping. He just became more riled up.
A firm “no bark,” coupled with paying attention and praising in advance of a bark, has worked wonders. He’s not fully fixed from this bad habit, but it’s coming along!
#2: Patience
Need I say more?
And the #1 Leadership Lesson from a Dog is...It's About YOU
When we took Snickers to puppy preschool 15 years ago, the instructor gave the following demonstration:
He said, “If your dog does something you don’t want them to, pick up a newspaper. Roll that newspaper up. Lift it up above your head, and hit yourself on the back, saying, ‘Bad dog owner. You need to pay more attention. Bad dog owner.’”
Maybe the biggest leadership lesson from a dog is just that: It’s about you. What you say and what you do matters. Make the most of it.
Happy 2024 y'all!!
Questions for Reflection
- How might the leadership lessons from a dog apply to your work with people?
- What additional leadership lessons might you add from your own experience?
Rib Review
I had some amazing ribs, yet again, at Jethro’s in Ames. I’ve reviewed them before, so won’t spend much time sharing how they are always tender, don’t need any sauce but if you like it there are good options, and the sides are always generous.
For the first time in more than two years, I’ve had more than just 10 days in a row home–so it’s been a nice break. I look forward to serving more schools in 2024, and to the publication of my third book that I’m super-duper excited about! Stay tuned for more…
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