My brother’s favorite hunting buddy wasn’t me. It was his golden retriever, Dakota. This past week Dakota passed away peacefully at home. After my brother got home from work that day, Dakota greeted him as usual but wasn’t the same. After Dakota got to see his favorite hunting buddy for the last time, he went and laid down. He didn’t get up again.

My brother and I like to hunt birds together with our dogs by our side. Him with Dakota and me with Daisy, my black lab. It was pure joy to watch both of these dogs work because they absolutely loved it. There was no doubt, they were created to do this. When we define success as using all of our God-given talents for the purpose that God gave them to us, then we glorify God. Dakota glorified his maker every time he worked in the field.

As I reflected on some of those great memories this past week, I discovered that Dakota taught me three key leadership principles I can apply to my own life.

Love and Serve Unconditionally

I’m pretty certain God gave us dogs for this purpose more than any other. What a great example of unconditional love when a dog is willing to plunge into icy waters to retrieve something for you. Dakota had no personal agenda when he retrieved. He only wanted to serve others to make them happy. A simple “Good dog!” or pat on the head would let him know he was appreciated.

As leaders, we shine brightest when we serve our organizations from a purely selfless standpoint. Serving others with no selfish expectations of personal reward. C.S. Lewis said “Selfless isn’t thinking less of yourself. It’s thinking of yourself less.” So plunge into those icy waters. Your team needs you.

Teach and Encourage Others

Dakota was two years older than Daisy. When I was training Daisy with proper retrieving commands, she picked up on marking and locating the down bird, but she didn’t bring it back to me. Dakota stepped in and we put Daisy into an honoring position where she is commanded to sit and watch the other dog work. Dakota took off on his command, located the bird, gently picked it up and brought it back.

We swapped places again and put Dakota in the honoring position so we could send Daisy. This time she took off on the command, located the bird, picked it up and brought it straight back to my feet. As leaders our job is to move the organization to new heights by equipping and encouraging others to reach further. To do that we’re required to coach, mentor, and teach others. As John C. Maxwell says, “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”

Have Fun

Some days the birds just weren’t flying. My brother and I were usually close enough to each other we could enjoy some conversation. The dogs wanted to work. Dakota always set a great example for keeping himself entertained. If we sat in silence for a few minutes I would eventually hear a cracking sound.

When I looked over I would see an 8-year old dog acting like an 8-month old puppy as he was rolling around on his back and chewing on a large stick stuck between his two front paws. As driven leaders with lots of type-A personalities on our team, we sometimes forget that life is meant to be lived and not just worked. Don’t forget to have a little fun and celebrate your successes along the way.

R.I.P. Dakota

I know my brother will miss the warm afternoons in September and the cold mornings in December with his favorite hunting buddy. Me and Daisy will too.

Always observing life to find the learning lessons,
Russ

P.S. Did you know you can help preserve wildlife habitat for all migratory birds in the US by purchasing a Duck Stamp every year? Even if you don’t hunt, you can collect these stamps and help preserve our wildlife and their habitats for the next generation.

Daisy and Dakota on their last hunt together in 2015