Leadership is exhausting, often thankless, and frequently criticized from the sidelines. Curiously, the loudest voices are often those who have never really had any personal experience with the subject.
One example of this is praise and recognition. The more I read about it, the more I feel there are two extreme camps—and only right or wrong. We humans like to think in absolutes; it makes everything so much easier. That’s nonsense; leadership is as individual as the person themselves. Finding your own way is more exhausting and will almost certainly be criticized sooner or later. Nevertheless, I am absolutely convinced that it is ultimately the only way. Back to the example: exclusively praising and motivating isn't always possible for me. If fixed rules or processes are broken, there must be consequences. However, moderation and perspective are very important here. After all, it shouldn't be a power play, but a firm, sincere reminder: This is not how we do things, and please, let’s not do that again.
In contrast, there seems to be a consensus on communication and consistent behavior. Obviously, if opinions, processes, and rules are constantly being changed, it provides no stability. Clear, understandable communication is just as important—I’m not telling you anything new here; it’s in every AI-generated power post. It sounds simple, but it’s exhausting because neither is ever finished. Processes and rules must first be established, then maintained, and constantly adapted, and that requires communication that never stops and consistency that is maintained. It’s precisely that consistency that is often forgotten. Admitting mistakes, including your own, and giving time for development is almost a no-go these days; everything is supposed to run perfectly immediately. It doesn't for me, or rarely. It remains a constant process of weighing, deciding, and communicating—consistently, because processes are never finished and rules are constantly being tested. Being stubborn helps more often than I would have thought.
The days when nothing works the way I imagine are particularly difficult. I think everyone knows those days. When everything you’ve learned is forgotten, nothing is working, and no matter how hard I try, it doesn't get any better. What I’ve realized here: the more I try to fight it, the harder it gets—I like to call it the quicksand phenomenon. Every now and then, I have to let go, hand over the reins for a while, and just go with the flow. I believe that builds trust and helps in developing independence. The moments when everything works and I’m actually just a passenger are so beautiful that, personally, those are the ones I usually remember later.
When I think back to the beginning, I drove myself crazy with all the opinions and tips that are forced upon you. Good leadership isn't rocket science or some top-level performance management secret, even if it’s often sold that way. I try not to turn Bruno into something he isn't, and together we are finding our own way. Yes, I’m talking about my dog. I’m probably stepping on some toes with my opinion on dog training here, but I’m not saying I do everything right; I’m doing what works for Bruno and me. That’s something I can only recommend to everyone: don't listen to too much noise from the outside, but listen to your own intuition and your own dog.
What has helped me, and continues to help me, are all my colleagues in our agency. All dogs are valued and respected, and it’s lovely to see that everyone is almost as happy about my little furry friend as I am. Especially at work, they are a great support; they comfort us, are always happy and in a good mood (unless it’s raining), and lift our spirits every single day. A big thank you to Ilvy, Nami, Mochi, and Bruno for that.
P.S. Over the last six months, Bruno has taught me more about myself and about leading a company than any training course, well-meaning unsolicited advice, or textbook ever could, and for that, I will always be grateful.
