Doug Cartland's Four-Minute Leadership Advisory
Doug Cartland, Inc.
09/05/2012

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I pride myself in answering every response to my newsletter each week. (If I miss one, it is purely accidental.) I can't always write immediately, and time won't permit long emails in return, but typically by the end of the week I have them answered.

 

And then there was last week. Holy cow!

 

I wrote an article on unions about a year ago that drew the most responses in eight years of writing this newsletter...actually double the next most.

 

Joe Pulver wrote me from St. John's, MI last week, that my article about losing my dog Blue would generate more responses than any other I wrote. He was right. The responses last week just about doubled again the union article responses.

 

I told you last December of the death of my Aunt Abi, and that didn't generate near the amount of responses. I wonder how she feels about that?! Actually she was a huge dog lover, so I'm sure she's fine with it.

 

What is it about dogs?

 

Because of the wonderfully large volume of well-wishers, I simply cannot answer them all individually this time. But I want you all to know how deeply I appreciate your thoughtfulness and understanding.

 

The emails I received were incredibly moving, articulate and heartfelt. Some told me stories of their own pets, past and present. Some commiserated with my loss. Others simply said they were sorry.

 

I read every word of every one of them.

 

I heard from a lot of cat people too. It's nice that the two sides (dog people and cat people) could come together in harmony on this occasion. Blue chased her share of cats out of the yard, but I think even she would approve.

 

Several people commented that it was nice to see me, as a leader, be vulnerable and human. They feel that it's important for leaders to reveal that side of themselves once in a while. I agree, and if that message resonated with any of you, then I'm glad-it was completely unintentional.

 

Others commented on the fact that leaders need to be able to show compassion, the same we feel for our pets. I certainly agree with that.

 

A few people sent me pictures of their dogs. That was awesome.

 

I love this quote that was sent in by Mike Casper from Barrington, IL: "I remember a response that Pastor Cole once said when someone asked him on the radio 'what happens to dogs after they pass?'  He said that he has never found in the Bible that pets do or don't go to Heaven, but he did recommend that when you get there to 'Whistle.'"

 

If I should find myself there someday, I'll try to remember that.

 

All of you who wrote indulged my need to share. Your compassion and understanding was more appreciated than you know. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.

 

What does it say that this article about Blue drew far more responses than the article about unions? I guess it says that people care about dogs more than the great union question.

 

That, I think, is as it should be.

I'd love to hear from you. Reply to this email and let me know your thoughts. 

 

Doug

 

Doug Cartland, President
Doug Cartland, Inc.

 

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