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Leadership Lessons from Ajax #14: Leading Talent During Times of Stress and Uncertainty II

September 6, 2009 by Ken Nowack

“I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once.”  Jennifer Yane Guide dog puppies need to have their leaders provide support, love and guidance as they grow to help them manage new stressors each day.  Our guide dog puppy in training, Ajax, is a curious dog with […]




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Leadership Lessons from Ajax #13: Leading Talent During Times of Stress and Uncertainty I

August 30, 2009 by Ken Nowack

“For fast-acting relief, try slowing down.”  Lily Tomlin   One of the important attributes of guide dog puppies in training is that they have to be resilient and bounce back from things that startle them.  This last weekend we took our almost 6-month guide dog puppy Ajax to an outdoor musical venue called the Hollywood […]




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Leadership Lessons from Ajax the Seeing Eye Dog #12: Developmental Challenges

August 23, 2009 by Ken Nowack

“Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they’re supposed to help you discover who you are.” Bernice Johnson Reagon Ajax, our guide dog puppy in training is being stretched each day to reinforce new habits and to learn new things.  As a leader, we are learning about the importance of “developmental assignments to help […]




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Leadership Lessons from Ajax the Seeing Eye Dog #11: What Causes the Most Stress for You?

August 16, 2009 by Ken Nowack

“I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days attack me at once.   Jennifer Yane One of the things we watch for in raising our guide dog puppy named Ajax is what might cause him stress.  In the last few weeks we have introduced him to “open stairs” that he […]




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Leadership Lessons from Ajax the Seeing Eye Dog #10: Morning Risers and Performance

August 9, 2009 by Ken Nowack

“I have never taken any exercise except sleeping and resting.” Mark Twain Ajax, our guide dog puppy in training is an early riser.  As a result we tend to be getting less sleep than we would really like.  Yes, raising a guide dog puppy is a lot like raising infants. We wish Ajax was more […]




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Leadership Lessons from Ajax the Seeing Eye Dog #9: Who Turns Out to Be a Leader in Groups?

August 2, 2009 by Ken Nowack

“If you’re not confused, you’re not paying attention.” Tom Peters Ajax, the guide dog puppy we are raising has finally been able to go to the public park in Santa Monica to interact with other dogs.  We can tell right away that is certainly isn’t the alpha dog around others but he is curious to approach […]




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Leadership Lessons from Ajax the Seeing Eye Dog #8: Leaders Need Friends Too

July 26, 2009 by Ken Nowack

“I told my psychiatrist that everyone hates me. He said I was being ridiculous — everyone hasn’t met me yet.” Rodney Dangerfield   Anytime we go anywhere with our guide dog puppy in training, Ajax, we plan on taking extra time.  Almost without exception other people stop us to ask questions about the guide dog […]




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Leadership Lessons from Ajax the Seeing Eye Dog #7: Seeing Yourself Accurately

July 19, 2009 by Ken Nowack

“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.”   Antoine de Saint Exupery Ajax, the guide dog puppy we are currently raising to hopefully lead someone who is sight impaired is a great metaphor for the executive coaching work I do with senior level […]




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Leadership Lessons from Ajax the Seeing Eye Dog #6: The Neurobiology of Followership

July 12, 2009 by Ken Nowack

“If all of your friends jumped  off a cliff  would you do the same thing?” Beverly Nowack We sure are rooting for the guide dog puppy we are raising named Ajax to go on to become a leader for someone who is blind.  Those who have guide dogs or any type of service dog need to totally trust […]




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Leadership Lessons from Ajax the Seeing Eye Dog #5: What’s Your Career Path?

July 5, 2009 by Ken Nowack

“Seeing within changes one’s outer vision” Joseph Chilton Pearce Our guide dog puppy in training named Ajax is still growing and expressing all aspects of his personality and interests (e.g., pushing rocks around our deck, finding joy in pulling down toilet paper rolls from the bathroom, exploring things in the sky that fly, and wanting […]




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