Why My Dog Is a Better Manager Than Most Leaders
Introduction
I’ve worked with some incredible leaders. Visionaries. Operators. Culture-builders. But I’ve also worked with some… less-than-incredible ones. You know the type. Confusing goals, unclear feedback, recognition once a year (maybe), and a complete lack of self-awareness. Meanwhile, back at home, my dog greets me like I’m a hero every single day. She picks up on my mood, respects my space (unless it’s dinner time), and somehow leads with more consistency than most executives I’ve met. So I started paying closer attention. And it turns out… my dog is a better manager than most leaders.
What She’s Taught Me About Leadership:
1. Communicate Clearly—Without Barking Orders – She doesn’t talk, but she knows how to communicate. Eye contact. Tail wags. Strategic head tilts. It’s all intentional, and it works.
Great leaders don’t flood the Slack channel with noise. They deliver the right message, at the right time, with clarity.
2. Be Fully Present – My dog doesn’t scroll LinkedIn while we walk. She’s focused on smells, on sounds, on me. Being present isn’t just kind. It’s powerful. The best leaders don’t multitask when someone’s sharing a concern. They stop, listen, and actually care.
3. Celebrate Wins, No Matter How Small – Opened the fridge? Sniffed a tree? Made it around the block without barking at a stroller?
Every one of these is met with pure, unfiltered joy.
In business, we breeze past wins on our way to the next fire. But motivation is built on momentum, and momentum is built on small wins. Recognize them.
4. Adapt Your Style to the Situation – When I’m stressed, she chills. When I’m excited, she mirrors it. When I need space, she finds her favorite spot and waits.
That’s emotional intelligence. That’s self-awareness. And that’s leadership.
Bonus: Dog Breeds as Leadership Styles 🐶
Just for fun… here’s how some of your coworkers might show up at the dog park:
- Golden Retriever: Reliable, loyal, always trying to keep the peace. The team glue. Probably sends the “Hey, just following up 🙂” Slack messages.
- Border Collie: Hyper-focused, driven, and sometimes too intense. Craves productivity and sheep.
- French Bulldog: Doesn’t say much but somehow runs the room. High EQ, low effort. Quietly running circles around the over-talkers.
- Chihuahua: Loud, opinionated, small but mighty. Brings the energy, sometimes too much.
- Great Dane: Chill. Observant. Speaks once per meeting but drops bombs of wisdom. Commands respect without trying.
Which one are you?
The Takeaway – You don’t need an MBA to lead well. Sometimes, the best lessons come from the four-legged, fur-covered genius snoring on your couch.
So if your management style could use a little tuning, try taking a walk. Slow down. Pay attention. Celebrate the moment.
You might be surprised how much you learn from someone who doesn’t say a word.
#Leadership #DogsInBusiness #ManagementTips #EmotionalIntelligence #WorkLikeADog #LeadWithEmpathy
