Hey, Innovators ! It’s your canine co-coach checking in. You’ve been doing great—spotting triggers, reframing stress, and making progress. But today, the pressure hit, and suddenly… your mind was racing faster than a squirrel across the backyard. What now? Let me introduce you to a trick I call Breathing Through Your Belly Button. Okay, I READ MORE
The Science of Perfectionism: Breaking Free from the Illusion
Hello, Innovators! It’s your canine co-coach here, and let me tell you—perfectionism? That’s a human thing. Us dogs? We chase what excites us, shake off mistakes, and keep moving. And maybe that’s the secret. You’ve been conditioned to believe perfection is the gold standard—to execute flawlessly or hold back until everything is just right. READ MORE
Designing Your Life Around Your Values
Hey, human! It’s your canine co-coach, here to remind you: Life isn’t just about work—it’s about making choices that reflect what truly matters to you. Take my mom, for example. She’s built her career around freedom, service, and connection—not just what looks good on a résumé. And last Friday? She didn’t just talk about values—she READ MORE
When Play Becomes Work: The Leadership Mistake of Rewarding Passion
Humans often believe that rewarding people for what they love will increase motivation. But social psychologists—and dogs like me—know otherwise. When external rewards are attached to natural enjoyment, what was once instinctual play starts feeling like an obligation. I learned this firsthand as a herding dog. My ancestors thrived on the chase, the movement, the READ MORE
Optimistic Leaders Don’t Have Blinders—They Have Perspective:
Humans often misunderstand optimism. Some think it means ignoring risks, dismissing challenges, or blindly hoping for the best. But true optimism—the kind that leads to growth and resilience—is far more strategic. I see this all the time in my world. As a herding dog, my job isn’t just about moving fast—it’s about reading the environment, READ MORE
Confidence Comes After Action—Not Before
Humans often believe they need to feel confident before they take action. But I can tell you from experience—that’s not how it works. When I first came into my new home, I was unsure. Everything was unfamiliar, and fear kept me hesitating at doorways, uncertain about the world beyond them. If I had waited until READ MORE
🐾 Are You Making “Drained-Battery” Decisions? Let’s Recharge! 🐾
🚀 Innovative Leaders, let’s talk decision-making strategy. If you’re tackling big decisions at the end of the day—or at the tail end of a meeting—chances are, you’re maintaining the status quo rather than igniting innovation. You’re not alone! Most professionals power through emails and executive-function-heavy tasks first, only to arrive at their most crucial decisions READ MORE
🐾 Paws and Reflect: Unleashing Resilience in a Chaotic World 🐾
In today’s fast-paced, unpredictable environment, even the most resilient among us have days where life feels out of control—like trying to chase your tail and never quite catching it. These moments aren’t weaknesses. They’re signs of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and the starting point for personal growth. As your trusted canine coach, I’ve learned that resilience READ MORE
🐾 Jakki’s Guide to Leadership Development: Innovators, Let’s Talk Development Planning! 🐾
Hello, innovative leaders! Jakki here—your friendly canine coach, sniffing out the best strategies for unlocking leadership potential. 🦴 Today, let’s talk about development planning and how to position yourself for your next high-impact opportunity. Feeling Stuck? Let’s Change That! If you’re questioning your next career move, unsure how to amplify your impact, or wondering how READ MORE
Reacting vs. Responding: Same Situation, Totally Different Outcome
One of the most impactful discussions I’ve had recently were about the difference between reacting and responding. Ever fire off a quick reaction and then immediately think, “Uh oh, maybe I should’ve taken a breath first…”? Yep, we’ve all been there. 🙃 Even my co-coach, Jakki the dog, demonstrates that below! Reacting is quick, emotional, READ MORE