My Dog is a Better Leader than Most CEOs

Most people love their dogs. I am in that category. It’s not an irrational thing. I’m just “irrationally passionate” because my dog, Buddy, is great. He is also loving, compassionate, loyal, good with my family and my kid. He did crap on the neighbor’s doorstep once and then ran off like the juvenile dogliquent he is. He had reason to. I’ll explain.

I work with a lot of really amazing people, teams and execs, and Buddy reminds me of all the good stuff “people” should be. He’s one of the best people I know.

1. My dog is kind and he will take you out if you threaten his family. He has his team’s back.

Most labs are super sweet. Buddy is that in spades. He gives us long leashes — even when we’re busy and don’t have time for our walks. He is so patient. He is also willing to take one to defend his team. I came back from the park with Buddy and my son when my my son was a toddler. As I pulled into our driveway with my toddler son in a Red Flyer wagon, we were accosted by a gray pitbull. That pitbull got up near my son. Buddy got between my son and that pitbull. That bitpull showed its teeth in an act of aggression; Buddy did not back down. He got right in that dog’s face, barked and showed his teeth. This went on for about a minute, and then that pitbull blinked. It backed down and went off whimpering. Buddy had our backs and there was no way he was going to let anyone attack his team and his people, especially the least capable of fighting back — my son. This was not happening. Not on his watch or his turf.

He is also troublemaker.

Back to the poop story…the owner of that house constantly yelled at Buddy, and at kids whose balls would randomly land in his yard. He was the epitome of the cranky neighbor. Buddy looked at him one day and licked his hand and the man responded in anger. As soon as the man went indoors, Buddy went to the doorstep and did his business. Yes, I cleaned it up. Buddy was sending a message. Buddy had enough of this human’s bad behavior. Of course, I am the human that had to clean up after him!

2. My dog reads people’s emotions and acts accordingly.

When I lost my mom to cancer, I was overcome with grief. Buddy had been jumping all over me — trying to coax me into a walk. Animals take direction from us and they feel our emotions, including grief. Buddy knew I was grieving. He put the leash in his mouth down. He jumped onto the couch where I cried so hard after my brother called me to tell me our mom passed. Buddy licked my face, then he lay at my feet in a way that provided the sweetest doggy comfort. Some CEOs get it; I’ve worked for others who couldn’t read a room or others’ emotions if their lives depended on it.

Of course, Buddy is no Lassie. I fell into a hole he dug in our backyard last Spring and I sprained my ankle. Buddy wouldn’t get help for me. He did, however, stay there and lick my face to comfort me. And he would do that while I lay dying if it came to that. Maybe I need a Lassie and a Buddy.

Animals grieve and they sense others’ changing emotions. They are dialed in in ways some people just aren’t and should be. Now if only I could teach him to get help!……

3. Buddy is a connector in the best of ways.

Like a scene out of “Lady and the Tramp,” Buddy is always walking up to people and introducing himself, licking them and bringing me toward them. Once he did wrap me around someone’s legs. Dangerous: yes. After untangling her, I learned she had a business and we got to talking. She is bringing me in to talk to her company. Buddy is a far better judge of character from a distance. And that was before he sniffed her butt. A great CEO looks to make connections for his people and bring out their best; hopefully without the butt sniffing. I will get to that.

4. Buddy knows when to lead and when to follow. Great leaders master that art.

Often times, Buddy will dart off when he sees a squirrel or a bird. Cats are no big deal. He is so great at being playful and nudging me when I need it. He’s right. After I play with him, I feel better. He’s also great and knowing when to follow. He heels, sits and stays. And sometimes, he ignores all of those things to get me up and going. He knows I need the nudge. He’s gentle about it. The sun can’t shine on the same dog’s ass all the time. Great CEOs know when to lead and when to let others lead. It’s a balance. And ego can get in the way. Buddy wants what’s best for his humans and we know that. Buddy is a social animal and he flourishes when we do.

Buddy can’t fetch for shit. In fact he doesn’t. That’s genius. He’ll chase and then make you chase in equal measure. It’s a give and take and it’s his thing. He’s part leader and part follower and that’s something many executives don’t know how to balance. The gift is in making people see and develop the leader inside of them, even if you have to chase a few balls.

5. My dog’s unconditional love creates a safe space.

When people know that it’s OK to fail, to make mistakes and that they have safe space to do that, it frees them up to take bigger risks. Some CEOs forget that. Buddy loves my family in spite of — probably because of — all the craziness and his support is unconditional. That’s how labs are. When we first got him, my son was a toddler. “Giddyup Horsie!” my kid exclaimed. I turned around one day in horror as he was sitting on Buddy’s face, then on Buddy’s head. And Buddy was so patient, so forgiving. So chill. That’s how people learn and Buddy is always the safe space to talk to, walk with and play with — without judgment. My son and his dog are the best of friends. They just exchange looks and Buddy knows what my son wants.

6. (BONUS): Buddy is super chill; he’s not intimidated.

Small yappy dogs are the worst. They will go up to Buddy and nip at him. He doesn’t fight back. He cocks his head to one side and looks at them with a look that says, “You’re serious? You see I am bigger, right?” He doesn’t get rattled at all. Big dogs get in his face and for the most part he doesn’t react unless he feels that he or we (his humans) are being threatened. He is secure. He is unflappable. He is kind. He knows fear and insecurity when he sees it and is not rattled by any of it. Eventually most dogs will pipe down and then sniff his butt. Then, they want to follow Buddy around. He makes more human and dog friends than any dog I have ever had. People will come over to my house to visit Buddy. It’s pretty funny.

Secure CEOs aren’t threatened by different ideas; in fact, they embrace them. They don’t have to butt-sniff others to prove what they know. Insecure leaders butt-sniff; dogs are just more honest and open about it!

I know: everyone loves their dog. I get it. I am one of those people. I am a better person because of his people’s skills. Maybe it’s not dogs who need to be adopted; it’s executives. Know an executive that needs some people skills? Find a dog to walk him or her.

What does your dog teach you? Lots of new tricks, I hope. (You probably know the book!)

**************************************************

I am a comedian, speaker, author (“Stop Boring Me!”- on Amazon) and storyteller. I help organizations have idea orgasms (workshop at SXSW 2017) and get rid of jargon-monoxide and boring storytelling and content. I also help companies create powerful cultures from the inside-out. Fan of good nonsense in the name of creativity. My 8-yr-old thinks I am hilarious. I know that window is closing soon. My company is Keepingithuman.com. Join the community! Follow Kathy on Twitter. Kathy speaks on humor, improvisation, and organizational storytelling and how to generate new ideas.