Learning Leadership From Dogs

Fun fact: Millennials are undeniably the most dog-loving generation—many seeing having dogs as the first step to parenthood. As the primary pet owning generation, owning 35 percent of pets, Millennials who own a furry friend will come out ahead in leadership and career development. Taking care of a dog teaches you how to take responsibility for a relationship, and this fosters skills that translates into strong leadership.

How exactly can having a dog make you a better leader? Turns out, it comes down to developing these five attributes:

Caring - Similar to raising a child, having a dog requires care. You really have to love and care about a dog to take on the responsibility of catering to its every needs. In doing so, you develop empathy, which is a trait all great leaders share.

Commitment - From feeding it daily or taking it out for walks, taking care of a dog takes time and requires sheer dedication. You have to consistently make an effort to sustain your dog's well-being. So it's a lesson in committing to responsibilities and consistently delivering on your promise. This trait is welcome and rewarded in the workplace as employers greatly value workers who are committed.

Discipline  - In the process of training your dog to become its best self, you also grow in your ability to empowering a team and encouraging them produce their best work. Just like you could use positive reinforcement to influence your dog's behaviors, you can find ways to motivate your direct reports as well. Training a dog gives rise to a level of discipline that every strong leader has. 

Listening and Understanding - Many people see their dogs as life companions, and one of the reasons is that, a dog makes a great listener. One of a dog's most loved traits is its ability to make you feel heard, even if it can't verbally communicate. This comes to show how being a great listener is appreciated. 

Every great leader should challenge themselves to learn from their dogs and spend more time listening and being present in each moment to better understand people’s emotions and their currency.