Lessons from Dogs and People: Footprints on Hearts and Companies

Have you ever noticed how dogs leave a lasting mark on our hearts? Their loyal companionship and unconditional love create lasting impressions. People leave footprints at the companies they work for, shaping the culture, influencing success, and being champions for change. Let’s explore this fascinating parallel and what we can glean from it.

Dogs: Footprints on Our Hearts

Dogs have an incredible ability to touch our lives in profound ways. Their influence extends beyond their physical presence, leaving emotional imprints that shape who we are. Here’s how dogs leave their footprints on our hearts:

1. Unconditional Love: Dogs love without conditions. Their loyalty and affection are constants, providing comfort and companionship. This unconditional love fosters a deep emotional connection long after they are gone.
2. Consistent Presence: Dogs are always there, whether it’s a wagging tail at the end of a hard day or a warm nuzzle in the morning. Their consistent presence provides stability and routine, creating a sense of security.
3. Joy and Playfulness: Dogs bring joy and playfulness into our lives. Their playful antics and boundless energy remind us to find joy in simple moments and embrace a lighter side of life.
4. Emotional Support: During tough times, dogs provide unwavering emotional support. Their empathy and ability to sense our emotions make them perfect companions during life’s ups and downs.

People: Footprints at Companies

People, much like dogs, leave lasting imprints at the companies they work for. Their contributions shape the culture, success, and trajectory of the organization. Here’s how people leave their footprints at companies:

1. Commitment and Passion: Employees who are committed and passionate about their work leave a lasting impact. Their dedication drives the company forward and sets a standard for others to follow.
2. Innovation and Creativity: Innovative and creative employees push boundaries and bring fresh perspectives. Their contributions lead to new ideas, processes, and products that can redefine the company’s direction.
3. Leadership and Mentorship: Effective leaders and mentors shape the company's future. They guide, inspire, and nurture the next generation of employees, ensuring the company’s values and vision continue.
4. Joyful and Playful Spirit: Certain people have boundless energy and enthusiasm, and it’s contagious. You want to be around them. You crave more of it. They remind you to embrace joy in simple moments and a lighter side of life.

My Personal Story: You Know You’ve Made a Difference

Being laid off is tough. I’ve been through it multiple times in my career; in fact, I had bookend layoffs last year in January and December.

I know the value I bring to a company; I make a difference. I’m a changemaker. When you lose all those connections, is all truly lost?

I say no. How do I know? Two people I formerly worked with contacted me twice in one week. Imagine my surprise to receive LinkedIn messages that brought joy, hope, and inspiration when I needed them most.

The first one came from ??Tony Jalan Executive Leader . He’s someone I met when I worked for Heartland. I did a story for him and profiled his team. He lives in Milwaukee, and I am originally from Madison, Wisconsin. We immediately had things in common when we met and hit it off as colleagues. I respect how he leads and admire him for the person he is, professionally and personally. Here’s an excerpt from the voicemail he left me. “I just want to give you a quick shoutout. I’m so freaking proud of you. Of how you really spread your wings and are out there flying and soaring like never before. You are doing great and amazing things and making a difference. Keep on rocking and rolling, Carrie.” Wow. His message brought tears to my eyes.

The second one came from someone I worked with while contracted with Panorama Education, Shannon Grimaldi . She let me know that while she was in her team’s recruiting meeting, they watched my ERE presentation recording. Her manager wanted to share the presentation with her team due to the impact she saw while watching live. Shannon was excited to say we worked at Panorama together. Her message reinforced that I must keep doing what I’m doing and leading with heart, humanity, and humor.

Footprints on companies, yes, it’s real!