The leadership principles gleaned from interactions with animals can translate seamlessly to various aspects of life. Just as you can guide a horse to water but not force it to drink, similarly, compelling trust and followership in people require adept leadership skills.
Whether in managing equines or humans, the fundamental skills remain parallel. The leadership insights derived from working with animals can seamlessly apply to diverse spheres of life.
Furthermore, acquiring leadership proficiency may share similarities with therapeutic practices. Research indicates that engaging with animals can yield therapeutic advantages, fostering enhanced trust, communication, and assertiveness.
We shall explore how experiences garnered from animal interactions can impart invaluable leadership lessons.
Learning Accountability
From attending to a goldfish's needs to walking a dog, the responsibility of caring for pets instils a sense of accountability from a young age. Even when we may not feel up to it, our pets depend on us for sustenance, hydration, and attention. Certain animals, like horses, demand even more care, such as grooming and exercise.
Regardless of personal mood or weather conditions, the obligation remains to tend to the barn chores, including feeding and stable maintenance. Through consistent care for animals, we acquire the essential life skill of taking responsibility.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
It's often said that a stubborn horse trails behind you, an impatient one rushes ahead, while a loyal companion walks beside you. This symbiotic relationship between a human and an animal is built on mutual trust, with a significant aspect being the horse's reliance on your leadership demonstrated through your actions.
Animals, particularly horses, are highly attuned to non-verbal cues like touch, body language, and tone rather than verbal commands. These signals convey your calmness and focus, instilling confidence in the horse. When working with animals, your actions convey more than words ever could—a skill transferable to human relationships and interactions as well.
Acknowledge Achievement Appropriately
We understand that positive reinforcement is an effective training approach for dogs and other animals, as they tend to repeat behaviours that are rewarding. However, rewards extend beyond just treats. They can encompass praise, toys, or the opportunity to engage in a favourite activity. Positive reinforcement can take various forms based on what the animal enjoys. Yet, the positive reinforcement must be administered at the right moment, for the right reason, and with the appropriate frequency to clearly indicate which behaviour is being rewarded.
It's essential to give credit where it's due—whether it's praising a dog for mastering a command or recognising people for a job well done. Misappropriation of credit in the workplace can lead to diminished collaboration, decreased innovation, and stunted progress. Once again, it's imperative that individuals receive recognition at the appropriate time, for the right reasons, and with sufficient frequency to motivate them to focus on positive outcomes and steer clear of unproductive blame.
Respect Is Something to Be Earned
Animals living in groups often exhibit intricate social dynamics. For instance, both wolves and horses commonly establish social hierarchies where respect is garnered through dominance, wisdom, or age. Traditional views of the alpha wolf have been questioned by recent research revealing that wolf packs possess intricate social structures influenced by factors like parental bonds and specific contexts.
Similarly, horses demonstrate complex social behaviours. As prey animals and natural followers, they seek competent leaders who can signal when it's safe to remain calm or when alertness and possible flight are warranted. Employing techniques like natural horsemanship, humans can strive to establish themselves as leaders in the eyes of horses by empathising with their perspective, responding to their behaviours and signals, and exercising assertiveness rather than aggression.
Whether it's among wolves, horses, or people, effective leaders consistently exhibit strong leadership qualities, earn respect, and attend to the well-being of those lower in the hierarchy.
Learning Should Be Enjoyable
Animals delight in play, whether it's puppies engaging in playful scuffles, ravens sliding on snow, or gulls engaging in games with clams. Scientists have traditionally classified these behaviours as "play" because they appear to lack an apparent purpose. Yet, this categorisation might not be entirely accurate. According to psychologist Marc Bekoff, many actions observed during play could also be utilised in other contexts, such as asserting dominance or engaging in predatory encounters. This suggests that much of animal play could serve as practice for significant interactions.
Animals undeniably learn during play, highlighting that one of the most effective ways to learn is through enjoyment. This lesson can be applied to leadership by embracing a growth mindset and acknowledging that learning ought to be enjoyable. There's always room for growth, and leaders who embrace continuous learning are better equipped to remain at the forefront of innovation and foster robust teams. Moreover, they exhibit greater resilience in navigating change, solving problems, and achieving objectives.
Give Your All Every Day
Horses, dogs, and other animals consistently give their utmost effort in fulfilling their tasks, whether it's navigating a course or chasing a ball.
Effective leaders should heed this example and strive to bring their best every single day. Engaging in rituals can enhance preparation, confidence, and a sense of control. Rituals that promote mindfulness can be especially powerful, potentially enhancing outcomes.
Recognise the Importance of Self-Care
While consistently performing at one's best is crucial, sustaining this effort without adequate self-care can lead to burnout. While hard work and commitment are essential leadership qualities, they must be balanced with prioritising self-care. Engaging in self-care isn't just vital for leaders' well-being. How leaders demonstrate its significance can influence employees' welfare.
Animals often exhibit exemplary self-care practices, whether it's a cat seeking solitude in an empty room or a horse signalling to its rider the need for a break (sometimes by unseating them!). Just as we prioritise the well-being of our animals, effective leaders should similarly prioritise their own self-care.
Welcome Everyone
Few things are as heartwarming as being greeted by a dog with a wagging tail or a horse eagerly approaching you in the field. Dogs possess an inherent curiosity and friendliness, enabling them to effortlessly forge new connections.
Leaders would benefit from adopting a similar mindset. Embracing social behaviours, such as being approachable, getting acquainted with each member of the team, and networking, holds value for leaders. Establishing connections with every team member enhances communication, a crucial aspect of effective leadership.
Remain Inquisitive
Horses and dogs exhibit a perpetual curiosity as they explore their surroundings and embrace the present moment. Curiosity serves as the foundation of learning, and exceptional leaders are perpetually engaged in learning, exploration, and innovation.
Whether we're guiding a horse to ride under saddle or instructing a dog in a new trick, it's evident that the learning isn't exclusive to the animals. Through interactions with animals, we glean valuable insights into leadership applicable across various facets of life.