Sit. Stay. Lead: What raising a puppy is teaching me about becoming a better leader

This is Ollie.

Two weeks in and I quickly realized that raising a new puppy is an unexpected masterclass in leadership development and growth! Here are some lessons that translate directly from the dog park to the workplace:

Start with patience – real patience. Puppies test limits constantly, and so does leadership. Growth comes from staying calm, repeating what matters, and remembering that people – like puppies – learn at different speeds.
Clarity beats chaos. A puppy with unclear rules chews shoes. A team with unclear expectations chews through time, energy, and trust. Leaders grow when they learn to communicate with clarity and consistency.
Positive feedback isn’t optional. A puppy will move mountains for a “good boy!” People are no different. Specific, authentic recognition boosts confidence, reinforces learning, and motivates the behaviours that shape a strong team. Leaders who master positive feedback accelerate growth – for others and themselves.
Your energy is contagious. Puppies mirror your excitement – or your stress. Teams do the same. Leaders develop credibility and presence when they manage their own tone and energy first.
Mistakes are part of the learning curve. Puddles happen. So do missteps at work. Growth-minded leaders focus less on blame and more on what the moment is teaching them (and how to prevent the next “puddle”).
Trust is built through everyday moments. You earn a puppy’s trust one predictable, caring interaction at a time. Teams respond the same way. Leadership maturity grows through small, steady signals of reliability, honesty, and support.
Boundaries aren’t restrictive – they’re liberating. A fenced yard gives a puppy freedom. Clear roles and priorities give teams confidence. Leaders develop when they learn to set structure that empowers rather than controls.
Celebrate small wins. House-training success deserves a treat. So does progress on a project. Leaders get better when they notice, name, and reinforce the outcomes they want more of.
You’ll learn as much about yourself as you do about others. Raising a puppy reveals your habits, quirks, and blind spots. Leadership development does too. The more self-aware you become, the stronger and more grounded your leadership gets.

Raising a puppy may not appear in any leadership textbook, but it’s packed with real-world lessons: be patient, be clear, celebrate progress, use positive feedback generously, manage your energy, and build trust one moment at a time. Leadership – like puppyhood – is messy, joyful, and ultimately worth every bit of effort.

Small, consistent actions – just like puppy training – create lasting change. Go here for more information about Kwela’s leadership programs (puppy not included!)

Helen Schneiderman, Partner
helens@kwelaleadership.com