Be the Newfie dog, Not the Chihuahua: A Leadership Reflection

In every workplace, you’ll meet two archetypes of leadership behavior. One leads with calm strength; the other reacts with anxious noise. And while everyone carries a mix of both, the difference between these modes can determine whether a team thrives or fractures.

The Chihuahua Mode: Reactive, Fear‑Driven,

and Unpredictable

When people operate from fear, they often slip into what can only be described as Chihuahua behavior. It’s marked by:

• Anxious tension

• Aggression and agitation

• Attention‑seeking

• Bossiness without true authority

• Chronic stress

• Hostility and negativity

• An inability to pause or reflect

• Competitiveness over cooperation

• Fear of showing weakness

• A refusal to delegate

• Unpredictability and untrustworthiness

  
  

These behaviors are coping mechanisms—armor worn to hide insecurity. But the effect is the opposite of strength. It’s the frantic yipping at everyone’s ankles, the constant need to assert dominance through noise rather than competence.

And when threatened, this mode lashes out: belittling, scapegoating, weaponizing HR, undermining colleagues, or ostracizing anyone who challenges the façade. It’s small‑dog energy—loud, reactive, and exhausting for the entire pack.

The Newfie Mode: Calm Strength and True Leadership

Contrast that with the Newfie dog. A Newfie doesn’t need to bark to be respected.

They embody:

• Calm and stability

• Strength without showmanship

• Quiet confidence

• Natural initiative—taken only when needed

• Collaboration over competition

• Dependability and trustworthiness

• Loyalty to the group

• Persistence and resilience

• A pack‑first mindset

This is the leader who sets the emotional tone. The one who steadies the room simply by being in it. The one who doesn’t need bravado because competence speaks louder than noise.

A Newfie leads not by intimidation, but by presence. Not by fear, but by reliability. Not by ego, but by service to the pack.

Why the Pack Follows the Newfie

A team doesn’t rally behind the loudest voice. It rallies behind the one who makes them feel safe, supported, and capable. The one who protects the pack, not their own fragile ego.

The Chihuahua may demand attention, but the Newfie earns trust through quiet, dependable strength.

And trust is what makes a pack succeed.

The Choice

We all drift between these modes. Stress can push anyone into Chihuahua territory. But the “better angels” of our judgment can pull us back toward Newfie leadership—toward steadiness, clarity, and grounded strength.

So the message is simple:

Be more like the Newfie dog. Be less like the Chihuahua.

Your pack will thank you for it.