Lead the Way, Don’t Close the Door: What Real Leadership Looks Like in the Dog Grooming Industry

We’ve spoken a lot about the challenges that come from working in an unregulated industry: the cliques, the gatekeeping, the constant need to prove yourself without a shared standard to measure against.

But the flip side is this: grooming is full of incredibly experienced professionals. People who’ve built skills over years of hard work. People who’ve weathered the changes, survived the burnout, and still show up day after day. People others naturally look to.

And in a space with no formal hierarchy, that is leadership.

The question is, what are we doing with it?

Because we’ve seen industry OGs become lifelines for new groomers. We’ve also seen them become roadblocks. We’ve seen veteran groomers share generously, and we’ve seen them protect their knowledge like trade secrets. We’ve seen kindness. We’ve seen cruelty. We’ve seen leadership used to lift others, and to shut them out.

The difference isn’t just personality. It’s the choice to lead well.

Being a respected groomer doesn’t automatically make you a good leader. But if people look to you, in your salon, in your network, or online, then whether you like it or not, you’re setting a tone for what grooming culture becomes.

So what does real leadership look like?

1. Kindness without condescension
New groomers don’t need to be babied, but they do need to be welcomed. A good leader remembers what it felt like to be new. To be unsure. To be trying hard and still getting things wrong. Offering kindness without patronising is a skill. It takes maturity and empathy, not ego.

2. Consistency over comparison
Leadership isn’t about proving you’re better. It’s about showing what “better” actually looks like. That means working to high standards, treating dogs and people with care, and being consistent, not just when clients are watching, but always. Real leaders don’t tear others down. They show what’s possible.

3. Willingness to stay a student
The best leaders never stop learning. They try new techniques. They take classes. They show up to events not just as experts, but as learners too. Staying open to growth shows others that it’s normal and necessary to keep evolving, no matter how long you’ve been in the game.

4. Calling things in, not just out
We all see things that don’t sit right. Unsafe practices. Unkind behaviour. Poor handling. But leadership isn’t about public takedowns. It’s about calling people in, having the quiet conversations, offering better ways, and being brave enough to speak up while still showing respect.

5. Sharing without strings
Leadership isn’t measured by how many followers you have. It’s about how freely you share. Whether it’s tips, techniques, referrals or real talk, strong leaders give without expectation. They don’t hoard knowledge. They pass it on, because they know the whole industry benefits when everyone grows.

Be the kind of groomer you needed when you were just starting out.
That’s what it comes down to. That’s the whole mission, really.

You don’t need a trophy, a title or a social media platform to be a good leader. You just need to show up well. Because whether you realise it or not, someone is watching how you do this job. Make it worth watching!

QUICK FAQs FROM THIS ARTICLE

What does real leadership look like in dog grooming?
Leadership looks like setting a positive tone through actions: kindness without condescension, consistency over comparison, staying a student, calling things in (not just out), and sharing without strings.

Why does leadership matter in an unregulated grooming industry?
Without shared standards, respected groomers set the culture. How leaders act influences safety, welfare, professionalism, and how new groomers are treated.

How can experienced groomers support new groomers?
Welcome them, be kind without patronising, model high standards, and share knowledge freely. Remember what it felt like to be new.

What are five behaviours of good grooming leadership?
Kindness without condescension, consistency over comparison, willingness to stay a student, calling things in (not just out), and sharing without strings.

Do I need a title to be a leader in my salon?
No. If people look to you, you’re already leading. Show up well and make your work worth watching.

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