Why Every Business Needs Both Huskies and Corgis

Every morning, my wife Alicia and I take our two dogs for a walk. One is a Siberian Husky. The other is an American Eskimo-Corgi mix.

I’ve walked with Huskies for years, and I’ve come to appreciate something about them that has always fascinated me.

Huskies are born to lead. It’s not arrogance. It’s not stubbornness. It’s simply who they are.

The moment we begin our walk, our Husky wants to be out front. He isn’t trying to get away from us; he’s trying to lead the journey.

Based on hundreds of walks together, he has developed a plan.

He knows our routines, recognizes familiar turns, anticipates where we’re headed, and seems genuinely committed to helping us get there.

Every morning he approaches the walk with purpose and confidence. In his mind, leading the pack isn’t a privilege, it’s his responsibility. He’ll occasionally stop to investigate a new scent or happily accept a treat from Alicia or me, but those moments never last very long.

Before long, he’s back where he believes he belongs. Out front.

Our Corgi mix has no interest in leading the walk. Instead, she seems to instinctively take responsibility for the journey itself.

While the Husky is focused on where we’re going, she’s focused on how we’re getting there.

She checks on everyone.

She investigates what’s changed since yesterday.

She notices things the Husky walks right past.

She gently keeps the group together.

If one of us slows down or drifts behind, she’s immediately aware of it.

It’s almost as though she’s quietly saying, “Let’s make sure everyone gets home.”

Watching them over the years has reminded me of something I’ve learned after a lifetime in business.

Great companies aren’t built because everyone thinks alike. They’re built because different people bring different gifts to the journey.

I’ve seen organizations filled with Huskies.

• Vision was never the problem.

• Energy wasn’t the problem.

• Commitment certainly wasn’t the problem.

• They were intelligent leaders who willingly accepted responsibility and worked tirelessly to move the company forward.

• The challenge was that each naturally saw a different path ahead. Each believed in the direction they felt was best.

Left unchecked, they weren’t pulling together—they were each trying to lead.

I’ve also seen organizations filled with Corgis.

• Dependable.

• Organized.

• Thoughtful.

• They communicated.

• They coordinated.

• They noticed the details others overlooked.

• They made sure people stayed connected and moving together.

But without someone willing to step confidently out in front and chart the course, the organization often became very good at maintaining what existed rather than pursuing what was possible.

The healthiest organizations have both.

They have Huskies who naturally see the road ahead and willingly accept the responsibility of leading.

They have Corgis who instinctively keep the team together, communicate, coordinate, and help everyone arrive at the same destination.

Neither is more important. They’re simply different gifts.

Leadership isn’t about asking Huskies to become Corgis. It isn’t about asking Corgis to become Huskies. It’s about recognizing the unique gifts each person brings and helping them become the very best version of who they were created to be. When that happens, something remarkable begins to take shape. People stop competing with one another…and start complementing one another. That’s when a group of individuals begins to feel like a team.

Every morning, after we’ve finished our walk, something happens that always makes me smile. The Husky and the Corgi usually wrestle for a minute or two in the yard. Neither wins, neither loses, then they settle down. It’s almost as if each one knows they accomplished exactly what they were created to do.

One led the journey, the other kept the pack together.

Different responsibilities, Same destination.

Bottom Line

The strongest companies I’ve been part of weren’t successful because everyone approached problems the same way.

They succeeded because people with different strengths learned to trust one another, respect one another, and work toward a common purpose.

Every healthy company needs a few Huskies.

Every healthy company needs a few Corgis.

The real work of leadership is helping each person become the very best version of who

they were created to be.

As for our morning walks, the Husky still thinks he’s in charge, the Corgi still thinks she’s twice her size, and Alicia and I continue to enjoy the leadership lessons they seem to teach us every day.