Bowwow Wisdom from a Dog Rescue Shelter – Leadership Lesson #3 Unleashing Diamonds in the Ruff

As I continue to volunteer at the Gardenia Janssen Animal Shelter in Texas, I’m reminded more and more of leadership lessons from the wonderful, resilient dogs I’m blessed to serve.

Leadership Lesson #3 – Investing in Diamonds in the Ruff

Lots of different dogs come through the shelter every month. Many just need and want a good, loving forever home. Other dogs require more time from us volunteers, such as those who have had recent surgery (please spay & neuter your animals!) They can’t go out in the play yards, and need daily walks. Other dogs have had challenging pasts, sometimes scared to the point they won’t walk far and need careful, quiet comfort. And there are those with medical issues that require long-term maintenance.

That One Pup!

As I reflect on the many dogs I have been honored to support, one dog stands out: Kane, a mixed-breed that looked like a?small German Shepard/Lab mix.?Kane came to the shelter as a stray with some type of mange covering 90% of his body. The poor pooch did anything he could to ease his itch, seeking scratches from volunteers and rubbing his body on the gate to his kennel. The poor dog was quite a sight - losing hair from his treatments; was bleeding from rubbing against his kennel door, many scabs and wounds all over his body.?

Thank goodness, the vet diagnosed Kane’s condition as a non-contagious mange that could be treated. Most people who came by to look for a dog to adopt would just walk by him. If anyone did inquire about Kane, they balked when they learned the cost and requirements of his medical treatment. And even though we explained his condition was not contagious, they had concerns.??

Needless to say, it would take the right person to adopt and invest in Kane.

What most people didn’t see is what we volunteers experienced with this sweet pup.?He was loving, crazy smart, friendly, mannerly, and actually smiled when you walked up to his kennel. He was playful and in human terms – funny. And he seemed so grateful that we would invest time in him. The entire volunteer team fell in love with him.?But we worried about finding someone who would adopt him, who would invest in his recovery.

Beyond the Shelter

There are employees in every organization that are like Kane! They just need a leader to invest in them. They need someone to recognize their talents and further develop their inherent skills. ?

Over the years, I worked with several diamonds in the rough. Each of them was smart, highly critical of themselves and unsure where they fit in the organization. Many times, they need development with emotional intelligence. They have the aptitude but needed a little nurturing.

One of those diamonds was an employee in one of my regional offices. She was extremely talented and smart, but came across abrasive, could be a smart aleck and didn’t always dress professionally at a time when suits were the norm. While she brought great data insights and creative solutions, I found other leaders didn’t give her the opportunity to share them. They said her brusqueness overshadowed her business contributions.

Watching this dynamic, I decided to invest in this diamond in the rough. Like all leaders, I had little spare time to give. But I could see her potential, and knew my investment would not only benefit her, but my team and the organization.?

I started with earning her trust, so she knew I truly wanted to help. Then I shared specific feedback on her strengths and opportunities to improve. Together, we developed an action plan to enhance her ability to contribute. She took some emotional intelligence classes offered at our company. I agreed to attend meetings with her to observe her approach and interaction and provide real-time feedback.?And she identified a leader who worked well with everyone to mentor her.?

This diamond already had a very full job (as did I!) We both knew this was going to require time and a commitment from both of us. We met regularly so I could provide specific suggestions, always including a High 5 to reinforce her progress in addition to areas where she still needed work.?Her confidence grew over time as she saw her new approach could working vs. her old ways. When a new Sr. Vice President came to run the region, she won the first award he handed out.?

I’m so grateful for the opportunity to help this diamond and many more like her. All of them have advanced in their careers, contributing more than they and their organization thought possible. A big reward for a relatively small investment.

Back to Our Canine, Kane

Kane was adopted by my son, Mark. He could see his potential and was willing to invest in the medical treatments, regular baths, and training to transform Kane from his ruff start on the streets into a diamond dog. Mark saw how wonderful Kane could be the minute he took him on the first walk.

Fast forward to today - one year after those first steps together. Kane is now mange- free and most of his hair has grown back. And remember that part about being super smart? Kane learned how to whisper.?He and Mark live in an apartment, so it’s important that Kane is quiet inside. Mark taught him to whisper his bark indoors – something he picked up on quickly. He learns other new tricks equally fast, amazing Mark, our family, and other pet parents at the dog park. And he brings joy to us along the way. All thanks to Mark’s ability see Kane’s capabilities and willingness to work with him.

I hope these stories inspire you to look around your organization, your neighborhood, and maybe your local shelter for diamonds in the ruff - people and / or animals who need a little extra help to unleash their full potential. The return on that investment goes far beyond that individual, and the light they shine will have a lasting impact for years to come.

Another Shameless Appeal

Once again, I ask that you please consider volunteering, donating, or adopting at your local shelter. It requires funds and people to run a shelter 24/7 and these dogs, cats, and other animals will give back 100% in love. And lessons in leadership!

For more information on how to find a shelter near you type in your browser animal shelters near me.?You will be surprised how many there are.

Photo Caption

The picture is of my son with Kane. They walk together daily, as Kane has an incredible nose and loves to follow scents.