His name is Bennett. He's a 9-month-old golden retriever. And while visiting the area on a family vacation, I met the young mayor in a beer garden.
He was adorable. Charismatic. Clearly popular. And then—he chomped down on my arm.
It was classic puppy behavior—playful, harmless in intent, but still… teeth on skin.
What stood out most wasn't the bite. It was his "parents"—sitting nearby, watching it happen, saying absolutely nothing.
No correction. No apology. No "bad mayor." Just a silent shrug of, boys will be boys.
A puppy bite isn't a big deal. But indifference to misbehavior from someone in charge, even if that "someone" is four-legged and fluffy, is.
And that, my fellow employment lawyers and business leaders, is the real issue. In law and in leadership, intent matters—but accountability matters more.
A playful bite is one thing. Turning a blind eye is another.
When those in charge ignore misconduct—whether it comes from a puppy mayor, a rainmaker partner, or a high-performing VP—it sends the same message: Power excuses bad behavior. It never should or does.
If you're leading a team, running a company, or just parenting a golden retriever with a title, your silence speaks volumes.
Say something. Do something. Correct the misbehavior. Because inaction? That's how lawsuits start and liabilities pile up.
We don't need perfection in our leaders. We need accountability. Even when the offender is wearing a bandana and wagging his tail.
(The t-shirt was an outstanding, and hilarious, Father's Day gift. Welcome to the Hyman family lore, Bennett.)