Business Management

"The feet are going to be where they are until you get them to where they need to be."
Participants were exploring the concept of leadership authority versus title and the statement was beginning to reflect a whole new meaning as people struggled with how to allow the horse to move forward. The more task focused they were the less successful they felt. People were getting stuck on make.
After two days with legendary horseman Ray Hunt, cowboy logic just seemed to apply when the task overshadowed intent.
Horses have the incredible ability to bring out our desire to see results. We create a plan, see the simplicity and the inherit logic and get frustrated with the lack of progress. What becomes quite clear is that make is not an option with something ten times your size.
So the key question in working with horses is, How do we influence change? How do we allow an activity to look more appealing? A question that parallels what many leaders struggle with these days. Dedicated, hard working and successful, frustrated professionals have shared the same woe "How do you instill desire in others? How do we allow them to realize the satisfaction of a job well done?"
Last month I introduced a three year old colt Rhys. Working with him has been an interesting experiment in making the "allow" look appealing. Once trust was established, it has been incredibly rewarding to see how quickly things have progressed.
Despite pride in his progress, what has changed most is me! I no longer approach a horse with the belief that they should know, but rather with the question "What might the horse's perspective on my request be? Am I setting things up to allow the horse to be successful?"
Rhys may still have his tentative moments but the more I confirm that he can trust me, the more willing he has been to reflect that trust. While there are many statements that could suggest the horseman's perspective, it is the words of Kouzes & Posner which I think best reflect the challenge in working with a young horse.
"Leaders must never take credibility for granted. Credibility is one of the hardest attributes to earn and sustain. It's personal and it's fragile, it's earned minute by minute; month by month; year by year and can be lost in short order if not attended to."
Each horse I have the opportunity to work with confirms there are many pieces to a part. I am also reminded how easy it is to lose trust when emotions get in the way and I assume understanding should be there. I am seeing the importance of waiting to allow the horse to be successful.