This week’s article focuses on the leadership lessons we learn from animals.
We focus on the eagle
Eagles have Vision-Eagles have a keen vision. Their eyes are specially designed for long distance focus and clarity. One characteristic about great leaders is they have “Vision” just like an eagle.
Vision is a key characteristic of any successful leader
As a leader you must have a vision that guides and leads your team towards the organization’s or strategic goals. The vision must be big and focused which has the ability to produce.
Fearlessness — The eagle will never lower itself to the size or strength of its prey. It will always fight to win its prey or regain its territory. The eagle has remarkable hunting strategy, preying on animals such as a goat which is much larger than itself by throwing them off the cliff face. If you were threatened, no matter the size of that person or what weapon they may be holding, you would attack them without thought or regard for yourself. It wouldn’t even dawn on you to be afraid because your instinct is to protect that which you love and cherish. Successful leaders are fearless. They face problems head on.
Eagles are Tenacious — Watch an eagle when a storm comes
When other birds fly away from the storm, an eagle spreads its mighty wings and uses the current to soar to greater heights. It uses the storm as a catalyst to solder on in times of difficulty. The eagle takes advantage of the very storm that lesser birds fear and head for cover. Challenges leaders face are many and these should not deter a leader but propel them. Like an eagle, a leader can only rise to greater heights if he/she takes up the challenges head on without running away from them.
High Flyers — Eagles can fly up to an altitude of 10,000 feet
At this altitude, you will not find another bird. If you find another bird, it has to be an eagle. They create a league of their own up there where other birds can never be. They fly and make less noise waiting for opportunities to strike their next prey or glide with the current of the storm. Great leaders are problem solvers. They love to take challenges as the eagle does when the storm comes.
Ability to nurture young ones- Eagles are known for their aggression. What is more astonishing with these birds is their ability to nurture their young ones.
Research has shown that no member of the bird family is more gentle and attentive to its young ones than the eagle.
When the mother eagle sees that time has come for it to teach the eaglets to fly, she gathers an eaglet onto her back, and spreading her wings, flies high. Suddenly she swoops out from under the eaglet and allows it to fall. As it falls, it gradually learns what its wings are for until the mother catches it once again.
The process is repeated. If the young bird is slow to learn or cowardly, she returns it to the nest and begins to tear the nest apart, until there is nothing left for the eaglet to cling to. Then she nudges it off the cliff. True leaders are not bosses. They grow with their people. They strive to make individuals in the organization or society grow to their full ability. They teach and guide just like the mother eagle does. They never stop giving challenges but never give up empowering and directing.
Paul Nyausaru is an OD Practitioner and leadership coach. For all your OD interventions and leadership development training you can get in touch with him on whatsapp/call +263774062756 or Email pnyausaru@gmail.com
Chiedza Kadare is an OD Practitioner. You can get in touch with her on whatsapp/call +263 77 283 0986 or Email chiedza.kadare@gmail.com
