ARTICLES BY DR. ANDY NEILLIE, CSP
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What a Stubborn Rescue Dog Taught Me About Leading Leaders
A few months ago, we welcomed a new member into our home—Traveler. He’s not like our other dogs. He’s not golden. He’s not easy. He’s a rescue with a herding dog’s intelligence, a wild streak of independence, and a stubborn refusal to fit the mold.
And you know what? He taught me more about leadership in the last few months than some books have in the last few years.
This video isn’t about training dogs.
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I Reserve the Right to Be Smarter Tomorrow
I reserve the right to be smarter tomorrow.
That one sentence has become something of a personal mantra, a professional challenge, and a reminder that leadership is never static. It’s not a finish line. It’s not a title. And it’s certainly not an excuse to stop growing.
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The Rhythm of Leadership
It’s mid-August. The school supply aisles are picked over, backpacks are packed, and the alarms are starting to ring earlier again. For parents, educators, and leaders alike, this time of year brings a familiar shift: summer spontaneity gives way to structure. Whether your calendar revolves around a school district or a fiscal quarter, August seems to tap us on the shoulder with a gentle, firm reminder: it’s time to get back in rhythm.
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The Selfless Leader
There’s a reason I’m drawn to dogs. They don’t care if you’re CEO, intern, or mail carrier. They show up, they’re loyal, they serve. You could say they lead with their tails — always wagging, always ready to engage.
Redford, our rescued Golden Retriever, reminded me of that truth every day. When we first brought him home from a puppy mill, he was skittish, unsure, and wary. But over time,
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Meekness and Maturity: The Surprising Strength of Wisdom
James 3:13 – “Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” (NIV)
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45 Years, One Marriage, One Mission: A Few Things We’ve Learned (the Hard Way)
A couple weeks ago, Lynn and I had the privilege of sharing our story with our Red Rocks Church family. 45 years of marriage. That number still surprises me… probably because I still feel like we’re figuring it out most days.
Here’s the truth:
We didn’t get here by accident.
We didn’t get here because we’re perfect.
We got here because we’ve learned—sometimes the hard way—what it means to lean in,
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There’s Nothing New: Leadership’s Unchanging Fundamentals
There are over 17,000 people working in leadership development, all eager to make an impact. But here’s the kicker: despite so many voices in the field, the core principles of leadership haven’t changed in over 2,000 years.
What does this mean for us as aspiring or practicing leaders?
- Lead yourself first: Self-management and personal growth are at the root of leading others.
- Make others better: Your leadership should leave people stronger,
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The Bigger Picture: What Leaders See That Managers Often Miss
There’s a moment in leadership when you realize the difference between getting things done and seeing what must be done. It’s the chasm between managing the day-to-day and lifting your eyes to the horizon. Between executing tasks and carrying vision. Between reacting to what’s now and leading toward what’s next.
That moment, for many leaders, is the beginning of Conviction.
Vision Begins Where the Task List Ends
If you’re like most effective managers,
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“Memento Mori” – Remember, You Will Die – A Leadership Wake-Up Call
There’s a small Latin phrase that has quietly guided wise leaders for almost two thousand years: memento mori — “remember that you will die.”
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