Over the path of my career, I’ve learned from peers, bosses and staff. But I might have been more successful if I had taken the advice of our dog, Toro (a.k.a. Torito). Be wise and embrace the key tenets of his philosophy…
Lesson #1: Focus on the Task at Hand
As an executive, there are 59 things that absolutely must be done now – but you can only do 7 of them. Prioritize for the highest impact.
Critically, as Toro demonstrates above, don’t get distracted. Be 100% focused on the job at hand and 100% in the moment. You’ll do better work and you’ll inspire better work from the people around you.
As you move up the executive ranks, you will need to develop the skill of intense focus for 30 minutes on a task… and the ability to dump that from your brain, load the inputs for the next task, and immediately focus for the next 30 minutes on something completely different.
Lesson #2: Show Your Joy! (It’s Infectious)
Business environments are often quite formal. We are taught to avoid being either too negative or too artificially effusive. Sadly, that often means that we don’t properly share our pure joy when things are going well. In contrast, Toro knows that his joy is infectious.
Lesson #3: Recognize When It’s Time to Rest
When the pressure is on, your first instinct will be to “tough it out”. Recognize when you need to take a break, get a good night’s sleep and be ready to chase the ball bright and early tomorrow.
Lesson #4: Sometimes You Have to Show Your Teeth
Toro taught me that my default engagement should be warm and friendly. But, also, there are times when I absolutely need to show my teeth.
Some people take very tame corrective feedback deep into their hearts and dwell on it. Don’t bark at them, ever.
Other people have such high opinions of themselves that feedback needs to be more direct. Show them that your bite IS worse than your bark.
When that time comes, don’t be shy about it but don’t overdo it.
Lesson #5: Disagree Politely
A little creative friction often results in something magical – especially in comparison to the result from a committee of “yes-people”.
When disagreements occur in the workplace, don’t shut them down prematurely. Help participants attack the merits of an idea, exchange perspectives openly and disallow any personal attacks.
Lesson #6: Celebrate Your Team, Treasure Moments Together
Be the best teammate you can be. When Halloween comes around and you’re told to “dress like Santa Claus IF he was on a beach vacation”… just say yes.
Don’t forget to memorialize the good times with your colleagues because you’ll want to look back once they’re in the past.
Lesson #7: Take Care of Your Health
When the pressure is on, taking care of your health too often takes a back seat. My dog taught me that Job #1 is myself… Job #2 is taking care of Toro… and Job #3 is the business.
That’s why I have an annual checkup with my primary doctor like clockwork… every three years. Yes, I need to do better.
Lesson #8: Sometimes a Brilliant Strategy Just Won’t Work
Leadership requires the ability to envision a positive future and then organize to get there. But it also requires the ability to adjust your strategy when things are not going the way you hoped.
(In the photo above, Toro is starting to realize that the ball he carefully placed at the very edge of the staircase is not actually going to roll off and bounce down step by step. At least not without a little nudge.)
Lesson #9: If You Can’t Help, Be There for Your Staff
Higher-level executives often manage teams with expertise different from their own. When problems arise, it is difficult to contribute personally. But, as Toro demonstrates above, it is still important to “be there” for your staff even when you can’t solve their challenge. Don’t hover. Don’t micromanage. But be available.