Susan’s Corner: How Animals Teach Leadership

One of the most powerful leadership lessons I’ve learned comes from the animals at Joybound People & Pets.

It begins with this: An anxious dog or a stressed cat doesn’t respond to authority. The dog might obey in the moment, but you won’t win its innate desire to give you its best. And that cat? As if. (Talking to you, Luna and Zora….)

Animals need trust to thrive, built through safety, consistent care, and communication in terms they can understand. This means learning each creature’s uniqueness so you can provide what’s needed when it’s needed.

Same’s true for us humans. The best leaders I’ve worked with know that leadership doesn’t flow from titles or command lines in org charts. They build trust to spark innate desire to perform. They create cultures where people feel seen, supported, and safe enough to take risks and rock their gifts. 

Animals also remind me that building trust isn’t linear. It takes patience, celebration of little wins that build over time, and gentle recognition that resistance, when it shows up, as it does, is often just fear. 

What lessons have your furry, feathered, or scaly gurus given you?