This is a story about a man and three dogs.

I walk a lot - usually for about half to three-quarters of an hour most mornings. I see a guy with two dogs quite a lot. We chat a little occasionally.

Of the two dogs (I know I said three, so hold on a bit), one is a light brown lurcher and is quite friendly and the other is a beautiful black labrador. He is 'nippy' as my co-walker tells me, so I have been a bit careful of him, but I always try to stroke him too. Whilst I have always been cautious of dogs, I have always tried my best to make friends with them, wherever I have gone (and no, I don't have a dog, and yes, I probably would like one!)

My friend has now gained a third dog - another black labrador; a bit younger than the other two. So as I'm walking down the road this morning, I see all four of them coming down the road towards me. I'm not sure which black labrador is which, so I try to pick out the 'nippy' one (he sometimes nips you, to clarify!).

One of the black labradors seems to be 'smiling', the other not, if you get my drift. I guess right, say my 'hellos' safely, we pass pleasantries and I walk on. As I go on, I hear the man say to the nippy labrador, 'I've no biscuits left', as he is pestered.

I'm a little sad for the dog. His master doesn't know why he is temperamental, but he is. It's also interesting that he's the first to pester for a biscuit.

Questions

Why has the 'nippy' dog got a different temperament to the other two?

How does this translate to us humans and more specifically, to you and people you work with?

What can we learn from this and apply in our day to day business relationships?By considering the answers to each of these questions carefully and applying the thinking to the relationships we have with our people in the workplace, we will do much to leverage our people's performance. And forging the relationships, individualised; personalised, one-by-one with our people, we will get the very best from their individual talents.

And, of course help our businesses grow.© 2005 Martin Haworth is a Business and Management Coach. He works worldwide,mainly by phone, with small business owners, managers and corporate leaders. Hehas hundreds of hints, tips and ideas at his website,http://www.coaching-businesses-to-success.com.(Note to editors. Feel free to use this article, wherever you think it might be of value - it would be good if you could include a live link)

...helping you, to help your people, to help your business grow...