We humans have an arrogance in thinking we are so evolved, but we do things that are so unintelligent. Just look at the Darwin awards showing people who have died doing stupid things as an initial reference of how true this is. What can we be thinking??
Then, I see how animals like lions – top hunters – go about their daily lives and wonder what goes through their heads. They go from day to day looking to get food that will sustain them for the coming days.
What about the squirrel – a gatherer? They look like they are in a constant state of stress but work diligently to have enough assets for the cold winter. Ants – a massive social network - seem to know exactly what they each need to do to construct their community and bring food for the rest of their community.
We humans don't believe we have to look at other animals for wisdom and insight because we can reason and have opposable thumbs. This arrogance seems to keep us from being more than what we are. We don’t recognize we have gaps and need to continue to be open to new ideas and ways of thinking. We receive a stimulus and we respond, often habitually. This keeps us from truly growing, individually, or as a race.
Companies, and conducting business, are eerily similar.
We’d like to think that companies are different and not subject to human influences. We like to think we create tight and impactful strategies that meet customer needs. We like to think our organizations are aligned and have all the skills it needs to execute properly and drive success. Being created by humans, companies face the same opportunities and challenges humans do. Businesses get bogged down by habit, politics, culture, fear as well as a lack of desire to change and grow.
Lions, ants and squirrels (as well as humans and companies) are all looking to do the same thing - to survive and thrive. However, we do it in very different ways. No one way can be considered better than the other; it works for them. Whether alone, in a small group, or in a massive organization with interconnecting parts, the goal of surviving and thriving forces these animals to hone their strategies to razor sharpness and yet be flexible enough to adapt to changing environments that impact their livelihood.
Respect, as a fundamental force of leadership, compels us to look at things again, especially from a different perspective. Step back and be open to what others do, including animals, to reach their goals. How do they strategize? How do they communicate? How are they aligned? How do they execute?
Your way may not be wrong, but it might not be as right as it could be. Through your respecting, you may notice a nuance you hadn't previously seen or considered. Kobe Bryant solved an issue with his turnaround jumpshot from watching a show about cheetahs and how they use their tail for balance in turns.
Your growth as a businessperson and as a human can be positively impacted by respecting the world around you.