by Jakki, Canine Co‑Coach & Chief Sniffer of Possibility
Hi humans, Jakki here — reporting live from the backyard, where I’ve been conducting extensive research on leadership, gardening, and the mysterious disappearance of three tennis balls.
This month, Heather has been talking a lot about gardens. Seeds. Soil. Pruning. Native plants. Frosts. Honestly, I love it. Gardens are basically nature’s version of a giant sniff‑and‑explore zone. And as your canine co‑coach, I have a few thoughts of my own.
1. Growth is not complicated. Humans make it complicated.
Plants don’t agonize over whether they’re “ready” to grow. Dogs don’t either. We grow because the environment supports us — warmth, water, encouragement, and the occasional treat. Leaders are the same. You don’t need perfect soil. You just need enough sunlight and someone who believes in your ability to bloom.
2. Seeds matter — even the tiny ones.
You know that moment when you pause before reacting? Or when you choose curiosity instead of defensiveness? Or when you take a breath before a big conversation?
That’s a seed. And trust me — seeds look small, but they smell like possibility.
3. Pruning is not punishment. It’s freedom.
I prune things all the time. Old sticks. Dead leaves. The corner of a cardboard box. Pruning makes space for what’s fun, energizing, and aligned with your purpose (mine is joy, naps, and snacks).
Humans often hold onto things long after they’ve stopped being useful. Let go. Make room. Your future self will wag their tail in gratitude.
4. Native plants know who they are. So do you.
Native plants grow where they want — not always where you planned. Leaders do the same. Sometimes your strengths pop up in unexpected places. Sometimes your path curves in ways you didn’t predict. That’s not a problem. That’s authenticity.
5. Late frosts happen. Keep growing anyway.
Every gardener knows the heartbreak of a late frost. Every leader knows the heartbreak of a surprise reorg, a stalled project, or a tough week.
These moments don’t mean you’re failing. They mean you’re alive. Protect what’s tender. Stay close to warmth. And trust that the season will shift.
6. And finally… stop chasing every squirrel‑shaped distraction.
Focus is a superpower. (Do I personally have this superpower? No. But I admire it in others.)
Choose what matters. Let the rest run up the tree.
🐾 A Last Little Wag of Encouragement
You are growing — even when you can’t see it yet. You are rooting — even when it feels slow. You are blooming — even if the petals haven’t opened.
Keep tending your garden. I’ll be here supervising, offering encouragement, and occasionally digging leadership metaphors into the lawn.
Jakki 🌱🐾