Monday, July 16, 2007

Zen and the Art of the Morning Dog Walk






I just read a wonderful article in the Rotman Magazine (Fall 2006) called "Our Ongoing Love Affair with Dogs" by Dr Patricia McConnell.

The article was sandwiched between essays on Loyalty, Business Strategy, HR and Finance. At first glance, I was a little surprised to see an article on dogs in a business magazine from one of the top business schools in North America. But after giving it some thought, I was able to draw a very close connection about how my dog (Jack/Jakers/Jakerton - see above) has had enormous influence on the development of Right Sleeve's model over the last few years.

Bear with me here ....

To quote McConnell,

"Some of my happiest moments are when [my dog] Luke and I sit silently together, overlooking the green, rolling hills of Southern Wisconsin. Our lack of language doesn’t get in the way, but creates an opening for something else, something deep and pure and good. We dog lovers share a kind of Zen-like communion with our dogs, uncluttered by nouns and adverbs and dangling participles. This connection speaks to a part of us that needs to be nurtured and listened to, but that is so often drowned out in the cacophony of speech. Dogs remind us that we are being heard, without the additional weight of words.”

In life, I struggle with distractions. My mind is often racing 1000 miles a minute as I dream up grand visions of the future. Everything is an opportunity for me and I waste little time in diving into a wide range of projects. Call it the entrepreneurial curse.

Enter Jack. On weekdays, I get up at the crack of dawn to walk him. Naturally, he loves it. I also love it for many reasons (exercise, peace and quiet, etc) but the most profound effect it has had on me is the opportunity to contemplate the day ahead. Whatever I am struggling with, I know I can sort it out on my morning walk with Jack.

Jim Collins has said that the most important pages of his classic "Good to Great" are pp. 114-117. These pages discuss the importance of developing a "Council" for one's business.

To paraphrase Collins:

"The Council consists of a group of the right people who participate in dialogue and debate .... about vital issues and decisions facing the organization".

While I lean on many smart and talented people to drive Right Sleeve, there is a special spot on my "Council" for Jack - he who chooses to just be there, he who communicates through his expressive eyes, he who expresses his agreement with me through a long and lingering sniff (or his disagreement with me through an immediate jerk on his leash as he insists on stopping for no reason), and he who trots along in sync beside me.

Many of the boldest initiatives at Right Sleeve have come from my morning Council discussions with Jack (note to readers - I refer to discussions in the wordless sense. I am not that "guy" ranting to myself while my dog hides his head in shame!). This is where I have the opportunity to churn through the pros and cons of my ideas so I can be clear about my direction come the beginning of the work day.

I am sure if Jim Collins were a dog owner, that he/she would definitely be a part of his famed Council.