We have a new addition to the Jennison household. Pepsi, a brood bitch for Guide Dogs joined us 2 weeks ago.

She’s 14 months old and she’s been puppywalked for a year so she’s pretty well-behaved. That said, she also has a strong will and can be really stubborn.

This surprised me at first. I’d forgotten that we had to train our first dog to do what we expected of her. No doubt we have a different routine from the one Pepsi is used to and we need to get used to each other.

It’s time to reset my expectations. Time to put the effort into building a great relationship with her so that we have the same loving bond that I have with my first dog Gracie (also a Guide Dog brood bitch).

Setting your expectations at work

When I think of the workplace, it’s similar. When someone new joins your team, you may have an expectation of the job you want them to do; you may have expectations of their skills, knowledge and experience. Maybe, just maybe, they need time to adjust to you and you need time to adjust to them.

How high are your expectations?

How clear are your instructions?

How well are you communicating?

When we open the dialogue and start discussing what we really want, that’s when we create understanding and deep connections with people. We don’t need to agree. We do need to understand and accept the differences.

When Gracie came to live with us 6 years ago, I put a lot of time and effort into developing a strong bond with her. I showed her what I expected of her and rewarded her well. She’s rewarded me in return by being a loyal friend and companion and I can rely on her to do certain things in a certain way. Now I’m doing the same with Pepsi and already we are more connected.

Of course, leadership in the workplace is not as hierarchical as being a pack leader with a dog. At work, it’s more about understanding each other, sharing ideas, collaborating together. Still, there is much we can learn from the simplicity of the communication we have with our four legged friends. Clarity is everything and sometimes expectations have to be reset.

Putting it into practice

1. Consider a new relationship – it could be a new friend, partner or colleague at work.
2. What do you expect from this relationship?
   
3. Communicate your expectations to them. Open the dialogue.
   
4. Where are you different? What are you willing to accept for the sake of a deep connection?
   
5. Post your tips below on how to build great relationships.

With love,
Jude. x

Related posts:

1. Leaders make connections