My husband and I love to travel. We went on a breathtaking vacation to Alaska during our most recent vacation. We usually prefer to travel to exotic or historic locations. However, everyone I have spoken with about Alaska absolutely loved it and recommended a visit.
So, when my husband and I were on our last cruise, we decided to book a cruise to Alaska. Our trip also included a land tour. As our departure date drew near, I was very excited to explore America”s largest state.
The first part of our adventure was cruising the interior of Alaska. We began our trip in the Capital of Alaska, Juneau, which is one of Alaska’s oldest cities. Named after prospectors Joe Juneau, the city was founded in 1898 during the Klondike Gold rush. It became Alaska’s territorial capital in 1906 and, after statehood in 1959, its state capital.
Juneau is a vibrant city with numerous fun-filled activities. Because of the long summer days, visitors can enjoy multiple excursions. For example, you could spend your morning whale watching from your kayak, break for delicious lunch and spend the afternoon hiking to observe the wildlife.
During our visit, we decided to travel to one of the glaciers around Juneau. We traveled to Herbert Glacier via helicopter to experience an authentic dog sled. The flight to the glacier was spectacular! The views from the helicopter were amazing.
Once we landed on the glacier, we met our guides for our dog sled. As we prepared to get on our sled, John, our guide, gave us a brief history of the tradition of dog sledding.
During our experience, I had the opportunity to drive the sled. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As the sled glided through the snow, I wondered what my friends in Florida would think of my dog sledding skills.
During our break, I asked John how they selected the dogs for their roles on the towline.
John explained building a winning team of dogs is science and art. He shared five keys to building a winning team.
- Selecting the dogs: Alaskan Huskies are working sled dogs bred specifically for their performance in pulling heavy sleds through extreme weather conditions.
- Learn the dogs’ personalities: Dogs, like humans, have different personalities. However, the dogs need to work together to be an effective team. Therefore, observing how the dogs interact with each other is crucial.
- Identify the dogs’ strengths: The towline is comprised of four different positions: lead, swing, team, and wheel dogs. Each position requires a different skill set. Therefore, understanding the dogs’ strengths determines which position fits each dog best.
- Train as a team: Provide opportunities for the team to train together. To perform as a team, the dogs must spend time working together. In addition, a strict training regimen prepares the dogs’ to function in multiple situations. Routine training helps the Musher build a culture of performance based on their expectations.
- Care for the physical, social, and emotional needs of the dogs. The dogs are elite athletes. Therefore, they require a special diet, training, and rest. First-class medical support is provided to the dogs. Additionally, the dogs need time to play and bond with their Mushers.
As I reflected on John’s keys to building a high-performance dog sled team, I realized it is like building a winning office team.
“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much.”
-Helen Keller
To build your winning team, hire individuals with the required skills, place them in the right positions, and empower them to excel.
Remember to continue taking care of them and provide opportunities for the team to work together.
Are you building a winning team in your organization?
YourLeadershipGuide,
Kim
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