Just because someone owns an animal does not necessarily mean that they are going to be a good leader, but it can be a good sign. Unless the animal is a frog, snake, or any other relatable creature, owning a pet means so much more than making sure to provide food, water, and shelter.

Too often people decide to get a pet because they think it’s cute, or their kids "really, really want one." Shortly after, the reality hits that their new friend isn’t going to just sit around and be cute. Two things can happen next. One, the frazzled owner will decide to get rid of the animal, neglect it, or only provide the basic needs. Or two, they will become or better their leadership by strengthening key traits of an effective leader.

One of the best qualities of a leader is overcoming challenges. Overcoming challenges involves using one’s creativity alongside with their problem solving skills. Daily challenges test pet owners. Often times it is the same problem they have been dealing with, so a new way of handling it needs to be created. For example, something that may work one day on behavioral problems doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to work the next. By thinking things through and doing some research, it eventually becomes possible to break the cycle and move forward.

In order to overcome challenges, one needs to be able to deal with consequences constructively. Dealing with the consequences of unpredictable challenges happens constantly as a pet owner. Whether it’s an emergency trip to the Vet because the dog ate the chocolate bar left on the coffee table, or the rascally ferret found its way outside in the street because someone didn’t lock the cage, a true leader learns from their mistakes and rarely makes the same one twice. Doing so provides experience that can be applied to just about anything, and in return, taught to others.

Next, training is an essential part of being a leader. Training an animal can often be more challenging than training humans. The word often is used because there is always the exception to the rule. With an animal, the only way to communicate is through gestures, body language, and the tone of our voice. In a perfect world it would be possible to sit them down in front of a computer and give them an online training course on proper behavior. However, the teaching process is a bit trickier and only skilled leaders are good teachers.

Finally, sticking to long term commitments is a true sign of a quality leader. There is no way to tie everything together if one just jets away at the first exit opportunity. Taking care of an animal is not a phase, it is for life. It is essential one learns how to make it through not just the fun and easy times, but also through the challenging and hard.

The value of owning a pet in reference to producing a stronger leader is a lesson which should be noted by all. By strengthening all of the above mentioned qualities and then tying them together, the achievement of success is a guarantee. And when there’s a success story leading the way, others are sure to follow.