Imagine if our canine companions joined us in the remote workplace in a more “official” capacity. How might our dogs view this new world of remote work, and what lessons could we learn from their playful approaches to daily tasks?
The concept of Perspective-taking is the cognitive skill of seeing a situation or understanding an experience from another person’s (or being’s) point of view. It involves considering how another individual might think, feel, and react in a given context, allowing for a deeper understanding of their motivations, attitudes, and behaviors.
Let’s explore the amusing possibilities of dogs navigating video calls, managing projects, and running their online meetings. Read on for a lighthearted look at what a dog’s remote workday might entail … (it’s okay, we just used that one pun).
When the team finally meets in person after working remotely for months, and nobody matches their profile pics.
Every time a meeting starts, it's like there's a magnet in my laptop—suddenly everyone wants to be right next to me.
When you're pretty sure the new pups on the team are just "ChatGPT-ing" all the answers during the meeting.
When you crush that video presentation and feel like the top dog in the virtual office.
Reviewing the team's performance metrics and realizing nap time isn't on there. That should be added as a high-priority KPI!
Trying to explain video conference etiquette to a boss who's convinced remote work is a passing fad and will be over by next quarter.
That moment your boss calls to check if you're actually working or just "on a long break".
Trying to keep it casual for the virtual meeting, while nonverbally expressing that you're the life of the party with your wardrobe choice.
That face you make when one teammate's "working from home" simply looks a lot like napping from the couch. Also, why the heck is Dixie wearing those pink goggles during a budget review meeting?!?
Perfecting that "I'm listening intently" look during a meeting, while simultaneously trying to answer emails.
When you consider if your video call background could seamlessly switch to the "long, winding road adventure" pic you took this past weekend, to show everyone your adventurous side.
Embracing the standing desk trend like a pro—better for the posture, better for the paws.
That face you make when the team's debating over a "quick fix" you know will turn into a week's worth of work.
Wrapping up a successful project with a smile—now, who's up for a celebratory game of fetch?
When your human decides it's time for cuddles and starts tapping the keys on your laptop just as you are scheduled to start and lead the online meeting.
Taking charge of the meeting with confidence, until someone mentions "walk" and all focus is lost.
When your roommate doesn't respect your home office boundaries...ugh, cats!
Though playful, these examples of dogs working remotely help us view our off-site work experiences in a new way. As remote and hybrid teams continue to shape the future of work, our focus should remain on improving communication strategies and nurturing professional relationships through perspective-taking. This skill is crucial for empathy, helping us better understand the viewpoints of others, leading to more effective collaboration, problem-solving, and conflict resolution. Perspective-taking also plays a role in creative fields, where creators consider how their work might be received by different audiences. In broader social and cultural contexts, it helps bridge gaps between differing viewpoints, fostering mutual respect and understanding.
The next time you find yourself in a tricky video call or facing a daunting deadline, just think—what would a dog do? And maybe, just maybe, you’ll find yourself smiling through the chaos, ready to tackle whatever comes next with the human equivalent of a wagging tail.
Contact us to learn more about our Remote Professional Certification, where we go into more detail on the concept on perspective-taking in the remote environment. For a creative look at pets in the remote work environment, check out our article: Remote Work & Your Pet: How to Build Rapport with Colleagues.
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