The Dog Star: Buddy and Bentley

The Dog Star: Buddy and Bentley

(The Dog Star is a symbol of power, will, and steadfastness of purpose, and exemplifies the One who has succeeded in bridging the lower and higher consciousness. – Astrological Definition)

Buddy Beagle is eight years of age, and is a “veteran” around here. He knows pretty much how things operate, when to leap into the car and when to run from a bath. Each morning, he sniffs a two-acre stretch of yard, “reading his newspaper” to tell him what happened overnight.

Bentley is a nine-week-old white Shepherd puppy. He doesn’t know what he doesn’t know. He throws himself into everything with 100 percent energy, then collapses to rest for a few hours. He’ll chase a ball recklessly, but get scared out of his mind when a leaf blows into him unexpectedly.

Veterans should have a healthy appreciation of the new and untried, and not become calcified in their ways. “Rookies” should understand that not everything requires a headlong charge and discretion is often the better part of valor.

Some consulting veterans seem to feel their decade-old brand is still fine, or that their graduation photo still serves them well, and that their dusty methodology will still work well in a wired, wiki, web-centered world. Some newcomers to the field just tell me, “I want to consult!” and they want to do it yesterday, without any thought to value, ideal clients, or branding.

Buddy is willing to try new things, with the reservations that come with experience at times. Bentley is starting to slow down a bit, realizing that the speed on the straightaway isn’t doing to help him going down the stairs.

If consultants were as smart as dogs, they’d be able to wag their tails a lot more often.

© Alan Weiss 2012