Lessons in leadership from a man's best friend

Abstract

PurposeThis article examines a team and leadership‐development course based on the parallels between a shepherd and his or her dog and a manager and his or her employees.Design/methodology/approachDraws on information provided in an interview with a farmer and international sheepdog triallist who runs the course, and details the experiences of course participants.FindingsDescribes how groups from small or large companies attempt to assess different dogs correctly in order to gain maximum potential – just as they may do with their staff or team members at the office. Tasks are given individually and as a team. Eventually, it becomes clear how a pack works as a team – regardless of differences – for the optimum performance of the task in hand.Practical implicationsDraws on the idea that humans, like dogs, are pack animals, and that dogs pick up on subtle body language but can also sense what people are feeling.Originality/valueChallenges the corporate‐training idea of games with winners and losers.