If you want loyalty, get a dog. If you want to inspire loyalty, act like a dog.
Say what?
Acting like a dog to inspire loyalty is one of the premises put forth in a new book, The Fido Factor: How to Get a Leg Up at Work by Krissi & Dan Barr. The book focuses on a model of leadership learned from, you guessed it, dogs.
The authors draw on firsthand experience in business; Krissi is a leadership coach and Dan is a business executive. They also have four-legged family members.
Countless hours spent with dogs have led the authors to believe dogs have a lot to teach their human friends about leadership.
Four Qualities Every Leader Needs
“The leadership traits dogs embody can be boiled down to four themes: the Fido Factor,” the authors write.
These traits are:
- Faithful
- Inspirational
- Determined
- Observant
And yes, the first letter of each word when put together spells Fido. As the authors also write, “What are the odds?”
Leadership Practices
Humor is sprinkled throughout the book, which includes illustrations. Nevertheless, the information and advice given are based on best business practices and applicable to almost any work environment.
Each of the four themes or traits has its own chapter, where the authors explore what it means for dogs and leaders to embody a given characteristic. Under “Faithful,” for example, there are sections called “For the Good of the Pack”; “Rules Rule”; “Fetch”; and “Recharge the Batteries,” among others.
At the end of each chapter, there is a summary that reiterates what the trait means in terms of leadership. The summary highlights how leaders that possess the trait act, outlines why leaders with the trait succeed, and explains why leaders with the trait are respected.
If it seems rather straightforward, it’s because it is. And this is one of the many advantages of the book’s approach. You don’t have to go digging in the weeds or hunting in the woods, like a dog. No chasing your tail, either (sorry, couldn’t resist).
This is practical leadership advice, delivered as metaphor and homage. And many people are apt to find it relatable. More than 60 million American households include dogs, according to the 2017-2018 National Pet Owners Survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association (APPA).
It turns out, it’s a dog’s life after all.
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Paula Santonocito, Contributing Editor for Recruiting Daily Advisor, is a business journalist specializing in employment issues. She is the author of more than 1,000 articles on a wide range of human resource and career topics, with an emphasis on recruiting and hiring. Her articles have been featured in many global and domestic publications and information outlets, referenced in academic and legal publications as well as books, and translated into several languages. |
