Leadership lessons from an animated dog

As some of you may know, I am a mom of two young daughters, Beatrice and Senora. Nowadays, all I get to watch are kids shows. I guess you could say I’m stuck in a never-ending episode of Bluey. 

Bluey is a super cute Australian kids’ show about a six-year-old Blue Heeler puppy named Bluey and her family. It might seem like a show for little ones, but as I have watched every episode, I can tell you that a lot of leadership insight is built into the show. 

Creativity is key to problem-solving

In one episode, Bluey and her sister Bingo are bored while their dad is working. They came up with a game called “The Floor is Lava,” where they have to jump from couch to couch without touching the floor. Bingo says, “We need to make a game that’s really fun but also makes us tired, so we’ll go to bed early.” Bluey replies, “Yeah, we need a game that’s … hard to win!”

As leaders, we can learn from Bluey and Bingo’s creativity. Encouraging our team members to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions can help us overcome challenges in new and unexpected ways.

Empathy is essential for effective communication

In “Takeaway,” Bluey’s dad forgets to order chips with their fish and chips. When they get home and discover the mistake, Bluey’s mom tries to make light of it by saying, “Oh well, less chips means less fat.” But Bluey’s dad feels really bad about it and says, “I’m sorry. I ruined our dinner.” Bluey replies, “It’s okay, Daddy. It’s not your fault.”

Bluey demonstrates empathy and understanding, even when things don’t go as planned. As leaders, we can learn from her and strive to communicate with empathy and respect, even in difficult situations.

Fun is important for building relationships

In “Grannies,” Bluey and Bingo play a game of “Mum School” with their grandma. They learn how to be a mum by doing things like shopping for groceries and dealing with a tantrum in public. As Bluey’s grandma says, “Playing is how you learn to be a grown-up.”

Having fun together can help build strong relationships and bonds. As leaders, we can encourage our team members to engage in team-building activities that involve play to help them connect with one another.

Trust is essential for leadership

In “The Creek,” Bluey and her dad go on a mission to catch a fish in the creek. Bluey’s dad teaches her how to cast the line and then entrusts her with the task of catching the fish. Bluey says, “I won’t let you down, Dad!”

Trust is an essential part of leadership. By demonstrating trust in our team members, we can help them feel valued and respected, which can lead to increased motivation and productivity.

Bluey might be a show for kids, but we can learn some important leadership lessons from it. By fostering creativity, empathy, play, and trust, we can become better leaders who are capable of inspiring and motivating our team members. As Bluey’s dad says, “You can do anything if you put your mind to it.”