Following From In Front

Several months ago we had to put down our cocker spaniel Max.  He was nearly 16 years old and it was a hard call to make.  After several months I was talking with my wife and discovered we had both been thinking about getting another dog.  As it turned out, a cocker rescue organization was visiting at a nearby pet store and we went to look. Well, you know how that turned out.  We ended up taking home a little black and tan cocker we named Sadie.

Cockers are loving dogs and like to be around you.  Read that as underfoot. Sadie reminded me almost immediately of Max and his habit of following from in front. When starting down the hall, for example, she'll get in front of me and then stop every few steps to turn around to see if I am still going her way. This, of course, results in my tripping on the dog or having to stop short avoid doing so.  Just like with Max.

I got to thinking about folks at work who demonstrate this same tendency.  I'm sure you've seen them, too.  They are the ones who worked to get out in front without really knowing what the plan is.  They speak too much at meetings, send confusing emails and sometimes get others involved who have neither the need nor interest to be part of the project or task.

Folks who follow from in front like my little cocker spaniel, tend to trip people up and slow things down.  Team members often have to stop to avoid tripping on them in a figurative sense. Simple things turn into an obstacle course as one has to stop, side step or otherwise alter course to avoid the follower who is now in front.