Leadership Lessons from my Dog

Did you know that man's four-legged best friend has a lot to teach us when it comes to emulating these following leadership traits?

Best friends can teach you a lot of things - some good and some bad. But until I got a dog of my own, I didn't know that

1) My new best friend would have two more legs than me 

2) My new best friend had some great leadership skills that I could learn from

Before you laugh it off, just think it over for a few seconds. Aren't some of the qualities that we look for in a good dog - such as loyalty or affection - also what we expect from our leaders? Therefore, it makes sense to look towards our furry four-legged canine counterparts to get some leadership inspiration. 

Lesson 1: Be fearless

Rani, my dog, has a small frame that is no match against some of the strays that live around my house. However, whenever we go for a walk in the evening, she can still scare off any mean-looking dogs that approach us. Now that Rani is a proud mother of three adorable pups, she's even more fearless when it comes to protecting her babies while out on the walk. 

What we can learn:

As Mark Twain once said

"It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”

Do not let anything - your inexperience, age, lack of qualifications etc.- hold you back when you lead others. Give everything your all without fearing failure. 

Lesson 2: Be Loyal

There are many who are familiar with the tale of Hachiko, a dog who would wait for his owner patiently at the train station everyday until his death, even after his owner passed away. This isn't just a one-off occurrence. Dogs are known for their loyalty and my Rani is no less. When we are on our walks, she walks ahead of me but keeps turning her head back to check if I'm still okay. 

What we can learn:

This means to be someone who is dependable and trustworthy. You have to do what you say and remain committed to the cause. A loyal person will always put the interests of the team & organization before his/her own interests. 

Lesson 3: Be Aware

I play this game with Rani where I try to sneak up behind her while she's taking a cat nap (or should I say dog nap?) and try to startle her. Unfortunately my ninja skills are no match for her sharp sense of hearing and smell. She always manages to catch me before I can get close enough. 

What we can learn:

Do not let things creep up on you before it's too late. Stay in the loop and in tune with all that's happening - both inside and outside the organization. You've to be alert and aware in order to have enough time to take action or change course. 

Lesson 4: Be Empathetic

I've always found dogs to be emotionally intelligent and Rani is no exception. She can sense my fears and anxieties. She knows when I need her to be her playful self and when I need her calm and reassuring presence. 

What we can learn:

Empathy is the ability to identify and understand the feelings, thoughts, actions and motives of other individuals. It is an essential tool for effective leadership. Be empathetic towards your team members. Take their concerns into consideration, and take time out to listen to them. Be fully present in every interaction you have with them. 

Lesson 5: Be Gritty

Rani knows she's not supposed to sleep on the lawn chairs that I leave out on the verandah. That doesn't mean she won't try to though. She will not miss any opportunity to lie down on those chairs despite my several admonishments.

Once in a fit of frustration, I stacked the chairs one over the other so that the top chair was just out of her reach. To my surprise the next morning I found her comfortably lying on top of the chair tower. Unlike cats, dogs aren't known for their climbing skills. Turns out, Rani had managed to jump on top of the boundary wall running around my house and then launched herself onto the chair from there. 

What we can learn:

Leadership grit means to get things done, take decisions quickly, be bold and show appetite for risk. It stands for competitiveness, innovativeness, and control. Most importantly, it means to never give up in the face of difficulties. Therefore, grit is important for leadership success.

While these traits come naturally to a dog, we as humans have to work a little harder at developing them. Make them a part of your leadership brand and show your team that you can be the alpha dog. Like every dog has its day, soon, you too will emerge as a leader of your own pack. 

Questions for Reflection

What other traits do you admire in dogs or other animals that you wish to imbibe in your leadership style?

How will you go about applying these traits in your interactions with your team?

At nkoach, we work with executives and senior professionals who are transitioning to leadership roles and navigating critical career transitions. At these junctures in your career, engaging an executive coach can help you in leadership development, stakeholder management, increasing productivity, and managing overwhelm. Visit www.nkoach.com to learn more and schedule a no-obligation free session with an experienced executive coach.

This article, by NKOACH associate Chaitra Kamath, was originally published on my blog. If you liked it, please click the ?? (LIKE) below so other people will see this here on LinkedIn. Every bit helps.