When my dog, Lenny, was 9 months old, we took a training class focused on teaching your dog to come to you when called.
There are few things I enjoy more than watching a dog run full speed towards something they love. This class is all about teaching your dog to love running to you.
The only way to truly teach your dog this is to let them off their leash and hope they choose to come to you. Not easy for a puppy who is easily distracted. And this is where the real lessons begin.
You must make yourself more appealing than the hundreds of other things competing for their attention.
If you lead a team, you might already see where this is going.
The other dogs. The trainers. The amazing smells. The toys. Out of all these distractions, your dog must choose you.
So how do you make that happen?
Here’s how the class works: a trainer holds your dog while you run (like a bit of a maniac) to the other end of the building. You’re trying to be “fun and worth it,” waving your arms and calling your dog. And you MUST have treats that make coming to you worth it.
So, what happened when we first did this? Lenny totally ignored me. Instead of running toward me, he turned around and tried to play with the trainer, who proceeded to tell me “Lenny completely blew you off.”
The problem? I wasn’t worth it. Or more accurately, the treats I had weren’t worth it. The trainer had cheese and hotdogs in her bag of goodies. While I only had the boring standard training treats found at any pet store.
Cheese and hotdogs are known in the dog training world as “high value treats.” It turns out Lenny will come to me if I’m holding these magical treats of gold. Every time I have them, he’ll run past anything else to get to me.
In leadership, motivation works the same way. People move toward what feels valuable to them.
So where are you putting your time and energy? Are you focused on high-value activities that bring purpose and results or getting pulled into things that drain your time and distract you from what really matters?
It’s a question many leaders and executives wrestle with. What truly deserves your attention, and what doesn’t?
Maybe this isn’t just about training a dog. Maybe it’s a reminder of how important it is to focus on what matters most, both in your work and your life.
What are you giving your energy to, and is it worth it? Is there something you’ve been wanting to pursue but keep putting off?
Your time and energy are your most valuable resources. Use them intentionally for what truly matters. Focus on what brings you joy.
And if you’re a leader or executive looking to better align your time, energy, and team focus, that’s exactly the kind of work we explore in executive coaching. Don’t hesitate to reach out and start a conversation about what that could look like for you.