Our Leadership Journey with Daisy

A year ago, almost to the day, my husband returned from the petrol station, drove up close to the house, lowered his car window, and called me urgently: "Hurry up, hurry up, they’re selling puppies!" We drove back to where he had seen them, and of course, we came back with Daisy.

At the time, we already had two dogs, Rosie and Petal (the latter in the picture with Daisy). Petal crossed the rainbow bridge on the 27th of December (I may one day gather the strength to write about her). The reality was that we hadn’t trained a puppy in over 10 years, and as is often the case with challenging experiences, we had conveniently forgotten how hard it could be.

So, what have we learned on this leadership journey?

1. Consistency is Key

This one won’t surprise the people who know me—my most important learning: Set expectations! When training a puppy, consistency is one of the most crucial factors for success. Dogs thrive when they know what to expect, and inconsistency can lead to confusion and behavioral issues. This principle mirrors effective leadership, where consistency in communication, expectations, and actions fosters trust and clarity within a team.

Research shows that employees are three times more likely to feel engaged at work when their leaders are consistent in setting clear expectations and providing regular feedback (Gallup, 2020). Just as a puppy learns faster with consistent commands and toilet training (I learned this firsthand when I didn’t hear Daisy needing to go potty in the middle of the night... it seems my maternal instincts have faded a bit but my husband's haven't!).

2. Patience and Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement is a proven method in puppy training. Rewarding desired behaviors encourages the puppy to repeat them, while punishment often leads to anxiety or avoidance. Similarly, effective leaders use positive reinforcement to build confidence and encourage growth within their teams.

For those who know me... well, patience isn’t exactly my strength—and as it turns out, it’s not my husband’s either! We found ourselves saying things like, "Why did we do this?" and "We’ll give her two more weeks..."—which, of course, was just a facade.

We’ve since learned that in both cases—puppy training and leadership—patience is critical. Puppies don’t learn overnight, and neither do employees.

Great leaders understand the need for patience, offering guidance and support even when progress is slow. It’s all part of a natural process that requires time, persistence, and trust.

3. Building Trust and Emotional Safety

Training a puppy requires establishing a foundation of trust. Without trust, a puppy may feel anxious or disobedient, especially in challenging situations. Leadership is much the same. Trust between leaders and team members is crucial for fostering open communication, encouraging risk-taking, and driving innovation.

The world-famous Google study on successful teams and psychological safety found that trust was the most important factor in team success. Teams where individuals felt emotionally safe to express themselves were more innovative and effective. Without trust, like a nervous puppy in a new environment, employees are unlikely to take risks or show their full potential (Google, 2018).

In both cases, creating emotional safety involves being reliable, open, and approachable. You must prove that you can be trusted to provide care, protection, and support in difficult moments.

Daisy is now a year old, and she has truly become a part of our household, stealing a big piece of our hearts (I know it sounds like a platitude, but it’s so true!). Rosie has grown accustomed to her, although there’s still the occasional growl on both sides.

Was it worth the journey? Absolutely! However, we’ve promised each other that this will be our last puppy... but let’s see what happens in a decade!