I know, I’m wrong for that title – oh wells!

While on a little dog walk with my two dogs this past weekend I started thinking about how great my dogs were at going potty on command. Now, they definitely have a mind of their own at times, but for the most part pretty much go when I say go (literally).

I’ve had pups before that could not be trained no matter how hard or how much time you invested trying to train them, if even just to go potty outside. These dogs were those I rescued when they were adult dogs and just would not listen. Perhaps it had something to do with them being mistreated, abandoned and left alone to fend for themselves, I do not know.

I do know it takes a lot of time, effort and persistence to go the mile when taking on new projects. It could be taking in a new pet or hiring new employees or perhaps coming into a new position and taking on employees who are currently in the organization that have an allegiance to a previous manager. Whatevs!

Being able to determine in your whole heart to go the distance and do what it takes to achieve the end result is something we all have in us, but are we willing to pay the price. Are we prepared to endure the pain associated with it to see it through to the end. To develop and lead, regardless, because people matter. Because it’s crucial to the team and the organization.

Maybe this is what separates the “men from the boys.” Maybe we all aren’t cookie-cutter leadership material and some are not suppose to lead, but follow.

There will always be those with whom we lead that will fight you to the finish. They’ll push the envelope as far as they can (just like our teenagers). They’ll get by with whatever we allow them to get by with. And I know, sometimes you just don’t wanna deal with their BS so you let them get by with it (just like we do our kids). And then after awhile we wonder, “Why are they such jerks?”

Could it be just that? Or could it possibly be our leadership style. That we’ve allowed them to get by simply because we don’t wanna deal with it? Perhaps we don’t like confrontation and it’s simply easier just to let it go.

My 4 year-old yellow lab rescue dog “Buddy” is like a little two-year-old at times. He’ll whine at me and I’ll say “Go lay down.” And he’ll do it, and stop whining.

Now, when he does this to my husband Nick, Nick will sit there and coddle him saying, “What’s wrong, Buddy?” And then go through about a five minute dissertation of asking him what he wants and try and fix the problem, which never gets resolved. It only perpetuates the behavior.

We all have different styles of leading and we have different personality types that we lead. Finding what works for THEM and being consistent, is crucial.

And then there are Cats!

I’ve also had cats over my lifetime, and they pretty much, like it or not, do as they please. I know, we have folks in our workplaces just like cats and no matter what we do, they’ll always be cats.

Photo Credit: heresthedealdude