How it started…
My and Fiete’s paths crossed in 2013. It really wasn’t a good timing as I just started a new executive job at an American tech company. I worked at least 10 hours a day plus four or more business travel days per week. But I adopted Fiete anyway because even though the timing couldn’t have been more worse, I strongly felt this was the right thing to do. And he was so cute coming as a puppy from a shelter on Cyprus, so I simply couldn’t resist. Today, I know that this was not just a co-incidence or simply a rash act. It was meant to be.
Fiete is my first dog and I had no experience at all how to live with a hairy partner on paws. I was used to efficient and fully though organized work and life flows, so I thought getting a dog trainer is the first best thing to do. What I really learned in those sessions was that training dogs is more about training their owners. So me.
In fact, I quickly learned that there are lots of business and life lessons we can learn from dog behavior.
What Dogs tought me
Yes, dogs are dogs and humans are humans. But there are many parallels and behavioral patterns that are alike. In fact, you can learn from dogs to build up better personality skills and management styles.
Dogs know the secret to personal productivity. They get a lot of rest and nap times, and yet they’re highly productive. If you need them, they’re there. That’s because they’re incredibly focused and disciplined. They know their priorities and they stick to them without exceptions. They keep it simple. And they’re happy with it. So why can’t we?!
One of the first things you learn in dog school is that spoiled dogs become whiny, manipulative and sometimes even over protective and aggressive. If they don’t get what they want they simply act out. Entitled people do the same thing. They show the same behavior. So make sure to not wag your tail too much infront of business people. It might end badly.
Dogs don’t overextend themselves. People often overpromise and under deliver in business. Not so dogs. They never bite off more than they can chew from a bone. If you want too much too soon from them, they will give you clear signs of stress. In business, there is no room for showing your boss or colleagues signs of stress when you are simply overwhelmed and have simply too much on your plate. Wouldn’t it be smarter to do so just as dogs do?
Starting to see the analogy? Here is another one. Communication. When you communicate poorly with dogs, they tend to be be anxious and aggressive. Dogs are generally direct and genuine: When they’re happy, they wag their tails. If they want to play, they’ll get a toy. When they’re appreciative, they lick your hand. If they feel threatened, they growl. Easy. There is no drama, hidden agenda or passive aggressive behavior, as with humans. But they usually get what they want.
Learn to be a better Manager
So, what do we learn here? Dogs are the perfect companion when you communicate with them actively direct, you respect their productivity level and you set the right expectations. If you don’t do any of this and you spoil them in addition, they will probably not appreciate all your love, support and cuddle times. They will simply boycott you and do whatever they want.
If you think about it, these behavioral patterns also apply for humans. Especially in work relationships and hierarchical systems. Among bosses, employees and colleagues. All the time. Constantly.
“Some of my best leading men have been dogs and horses.”
(Elizabeth Taylor)
I didn’t know any of this before I adopted Fiete, but I am sure today that it was not a co-incidence that we have met. Besides great times and happy vibes, Fiete simply made me be a better manager.