Animal Kingdom Leadership lessons

If we take the time to observe and reflect, we can learn some significant lessons from the animal kingdom all around us. Each species of animal has its own strengths and weaknesses; and within the species, each of them is a unique creature. As leaders (and would-be leaders), the lessons are there for the taking if we pay attention.

Domination and submission, survival of the fittest, constant adaption to change - the wilderness and the corporate world have many similarities. The more detailed the look into each world, its routines, rules and ways of communication, the more obvious it becomes how beneficial it would be if the corporate world could learn from nature. In some areas, such as product engineering it is already happening, but in the area of personal development of leadership and teamwork skills this opportunity is still sadly missed.

Summer is the time of year when we most connect with nature and wildlife. The warm weather encourages us to get outdoors and enjoy all that the environment has to offer. For students of leadership, there is much to be learned from the great outdoors and in this blog,  I will focus on what we can learn from animals, both in terms of what to do and what to avoid doing.

Three to emulate

1. Lions – Lions are known as kings of the jungle and fierce predators. But lions are also extremely caring animals within their pride. For example, lions are among the more equitable species. They tend to breed cooperatively and assist each other in rearing offspring. They also are more equitable in sharing their food. Lesson: Despite their power and rank, true leaders know that caring for others within their organization is a true mark of their success.
2. Leopard – The leopard is a highly agile animal that adjusts its efforts to suit its needs. Sometimes it relies on stealth, at other times speed, and at other times agility. For example, it can track its prey on the ground and also climb trees to hunt. It can move silently though the forest and at the same time marshal a burst of speed to close in. Lesson: Leaders and organizations that are adaptable can be assured greater opportunities to achieve success than those that rely on a more limited mindset and skillset.
3. Geese - Geese are very supportive of each other when in flight. They fly in formations and transfer leadership as they travel. Lesson: There is strength in numbers and cooperation. Leaders who know how to leverage their people and achieve alignment are in better position to succeed.

Three to avoid

1. Penguins – Certain species have shown selfish actions in their natural habitat. Sometimes, they will push a single penguin off into the cold waters of Antarctic while the others observe if the chosen water is safe or not. If there is no danger, the other penguins jump off the cliff into the water. Lesson: Leaders should resist the temptation to unjustifiably sacrifice one from the team (with their job, with an admonition or consequence, etc.), even if it serves an immediate purpose and benefit. Unlike penguins, people will typically get upset when things like this occur and start to worry for their own safety.
2. Elephants – Elephants are the “poster animal” of a fixed-mindset. Elephant trainers are famous for sticking a peg in the ground during a calf’s formative years, a peg that it cannot extract. At this young age an elephant learns what it can’t do and stops trying, despite the fact that a mature beast could easily rip the peg and many more like it from the ground. Lesson: Fixed-mindsets reduce our ability. Leaders should make every effort to foster a growth mindset in their workplaces by focusing people on overcoming past failures to achieve new things.
3. Monkeys – A traditional way to catch monkeys is to offer them some desired food item on the other side of a hole that they can just manage to fit their hand in. When the monkey grabs hold of the item it doesn’t let go, despite the fact that its fist (which is clenching the treat) is too large to be pulled out. Lesson: Be willing to let go of things that are holding you back, even if they appeared good when you first got them.

Of course, in most corporate areas there is no space for wilderness experiences, although it is highly recommended to regularly step out your personal comfort zone in order to reassess personal or corporate strategies and open up for growth and leadership experience that no MBA program can ever deliver.

Experiencing Africa´s fascinating nature and of course its majestic Big 5, the human observer—usually accompanied by one or two experienced rangers—will be fascinated to find out the following five leadership skills that we could all easily transfer into our corporate world.

The art of teamwork 

Lions, the so-called kings of the bush are not only a universal symbol for power and strength, they are masters in an area where every manager depends on: the quality of its team and the results of their work. And lions are masters of teamwork on all levels. Territories are held by several males in so-called coalitions. Working as a team makes it easier for them to fight against intruders, control larger territories, dispossess older lions or secure female territories, the basis for their survival. 

Female teamwork is best displayed during hunting and it is clearly defined by the individual strengths of the team member. Whoever has the chance to witness the breath taking, intelligent and efficient attacks will never again forget it. But also the diverse teamwork plays a vital role for Africa’s largest carnivore. While females do most of the hunting and share family responsibilities within the whole group, males will assist with big kills and protect their territory against intruders. For lions the intra and inter-gender teamwork secures long-term survival and success. Bringing this example into your corporate area you ask yourself: Where can the teamwork in my company be optimized and is everybody aware of the benefits of an increased level of partnership with colleagues and the focus towards the outside-of-the-pride-enemy instead of the inside-of-the-company different department or colleague? 

 Focus- the power of targeting 

Another fascinating and impressive quality often observed in the bush is the outstanding ability of animals to focus on their prey. Be it a lion, leopard, cheetah or bateleur eagle, their ability to focus sharply on one and only one target is worth thinking about as a human. In the corporate world—but also in the private area—multitasking is the standard. We listen to the radio while we drive the car, read our emails while we are in meetings. Africa´s predators narrow down their sight and energy to the most important thing in that second, securing food for their survival. Observing this behavior, it should be no surprise that many Asian meditation techniques teach methods to remain in the moment, which gives you maximum effectiveness. The western hemisphere managers can learn both from Africa and Asia and in that process not only reduce the ratio of burn out and stress but also increase the productivity and results of the whole company. 

The prerequisites of speed 

The fastest land mammal is the cheetah. Within 90 seconds they are in full speed of up to 70 miles/hour and every detail of their body, e.g.  their long legs, small heads with streamlined ears, large lungs are perfectly designed for it. Their entire body is built for speed. They don´t carry any extra bulk…in opposite to us corporate people and organizations. The older we get the more weight we usually carry and over our spine gets less flexible. The cheetah’s spine stays flexible all is life; a great role model for any corporation to rethink and reevaluate what hinders them to move faster. We all know about the necessity for speed in highly competitive global marketplaces and also that the level of speed increases everywhere, be it in the media, social developments or the spread of diseases in a connected world. But the question is: How well are we equipped as leaders, as companies, as people? Do we carry extra bulk and how can we get rid of it? 

The wisdom of the elephants 

The leaders of elephant herds can often be seen doing nothing, as if they are frozen from one second to another. To the human eyes it is unclear as to what is taking place, but it could potentially be our biggest leadership take-away from Africa. In those regular moments of stillness the lead cow uses her senses to the fullest. She becomes aware of the position and movement of the group, its surroundings and gets in touch with each individual group member on an energetic level. What a powerful leadership tool! Transferring this observation for your personal use in the corporate world you could regularly, e.g. at the beginning of every meeting, refrain from any activity for a couple of seconds, focus on the group, the energy in the room and your own physical condition. You will undoubtedly find out it makes a BIG difference! 

Leopards- The hidden champions of flexibility 

Leopards are not only among the most beautiful animals of Africa, they are also the ultimate opportunists, adapting themselves to every change in habitat that might happen. Leopards are flexible in every way imaginable. They are excellent runners and climbers, with the ability to attack from the ground and from trees, and hunt at night or during the day. One leopard was found in an abandoned football stadium living with 2 cubs eating garbage and chasing pets from the neighborhood. So a leopard-based take-away for every corporate person is: How flexible and adaptable are we as leaders, and how do our organizations adjust to change? 

Now, not everybody has to go to Africa to rethink his or her leadership qualities, although regularly stepping out of one´s comfort zone is something recommended to anybody, especially to leaders loaded up with daily tasks and routines. Let´s not forget: Routines kill creativity. And creativity is something we urgently need to re-inject into our corporate lives in order to remain successful in a changing marketplace. So whether you use a tent in Africa or an igloo in the Arctic for a short time: Beyond your desk and your comfort zone is what life and leadership is about and that you can and should re-import into your daily life. 

Thanks for reading my blog.

Are you Leading?

Dr. Deepak A. Patil

CEO, Lead ThySelf