By Jakki, Chief Sniffing Officer & Canine Co‑Coach
Humans MIGHT think innovation is complicated.
Dogs know it’s mostly about playing together,paying attention, conserving energy, and not barking at every distraction.
As Heather’s canine co‑coach, I’ve watched a lot of technical leaders try to grow into enterprise leadership. Some sprint too fast. Some freeze. Some chase every shiny object like it’s a squirrel.
And some forget that leadership is a whole‑body experience — not just a brain exercise.
That’s why I’m excited to introduce the HACK™ Innovation Model and the companion workshops, now explained the way a dog would explain it: simply, honestly, and with a little tail wag.
HACK™ stands for:
Humility
“AND”
Curiosity &
Kickboxing — which, in dog terms, means managing your energy influencers and diminishers so you don’t end up exhausted, cranky, or hiding under the desk.
Below, I’ve mapped each part of HACK™ to the five unmet needs I see in technical leaders stepping into enterprise leadership — because trust me, dogs notice everything.
⭐ UNMET NEED 1: Leading Without Losing Technical Credibility
H — Humility (or: Don’t puff up your fur)
Humility is how humans stay credible. Dogs do this naturally — we don’t pretend to know quantum computing. We just stay open, observant, and ready to learn.
Reflection Question: Where could a little less puffing and a little more listening help you lead with confidence?
Jakki’s Tip:
Before a big meeting, pause and ask: What am I assuming? Dogs assume nothing except that snacks might appear.
⭐ UNMET NEED 2: Influence in Ambiguous or Political Environments
A — “AND” Thinking (or: Walk AND sniff)
Humans love either/or thinking. Dogs know life is both/and. You can walk and sniff. You can be cautious and curious. You can honor business needs and human needs.
“AND” Thinking helps leaders navigate ambiguity without growling.
Reflection Question: Where are you acting like you must choose one path when both paths might be possible?
Jakki’s Tip: When things get political, ask: If both priorities mattered, what would I do? This is how dogs negotiate who gets the sunny spot on the rug.
⭐ UNMET NEED 3: Leading Through AI Acceleration and Constant Change
C — Curiosity (or: Pause & Sniff)
Dogs are master researchers.
We sniff, explore, question, and re‑sniff.
Curiosity helps humans adapt to AI acceleration without panicking or pretending they already know everything.
Reflection Question: What question have you avoided because it feels too simple or too disruptive?
Jakki’s Tip: Use the “Three‑Sniff Rule”: Sniff the problem. Sniff the assumption. Sniff the emotion
underneath. That’s where the real insight lives.
⭐ UNMET NEED 4: A Sustainable Way to Lead Without Burning Out
K — Kickboxing (Energy Influencers & Diminishers)
Kickboxing is about managing your energy ecosystem — something dogs excel at. We know when to sprint, when to nap, and when to ignore the mail carrier.
Enterprise leadership requires stamina. Kickboxing helps humans stop leaking energy through unnecessary meetings, unclear boundaries, and emotional clutter.
Reflection Question: Which energy diminisher keeps draining you — and what boundary would help you reclaim your tail wag?
Jakki’s Tip: Do a weekly “Energy Sniff Audit”: One thing that energizes you → do more. One thing that drains you → redesign or release. Dogs call this “choosing which humans to sit next to.”
⭐ UNMET NEED 5: Leadership That Works Like a System — Not a Personality
HACK™ as a System (or: Training, not tricks)
Dogs don’t rely ONLY on personality.
We rely on systems: routines, cues, patterns, and consistent practice.
HACK™ gives humans a repeatable system for innovation — not a one‑time burst of creativity.
Reflection Question: Where are you relying on instinct instead of a system you can refine?
Jakki’s Tip:
Build your “Leadership Training Plan”: Your questions, your boundaries, your energy practices, your sparring partners. Systems scale. Tricks don’t.
A Final Tail Wag
Innovation isn’t about being the loudest, fastest, or smartest.
It’s about being the most present.
Just ask a dog.