Leadership Lessons from the Capybara (And What Not to Do from the Quokka!)

Happy new year! 2025 is upon us. It is like a blank notebook, a new story you get to create. The opportunities are endless! Every few years, I do an “animal outfit of the day” challenge for myself. See, I’m obsessed with animals, and the vast majority of my wardrobe has some kind of animal print or actual animal on it. I don’t know how this started, but basically all of my life, I’ve loved animals (well, most of them). In my last animal outfit challenge, I went 169 days without repeating any article of animal clothing. We’ll see how many days I get this year…

Yesterday's outfit (a t-shirt with a capybara illustration on it), got me thinking. Are there any leadership lessons we can learn from animals? My current obsessions include capybaras and quokkas. I believe nature is full of fascinating behaviors that offer surprising parallels to the workplace. Capybaras and quokkas couldn’t be more different in their approach to survival and leadership. While one inspires us to embody collaboration and calmness, the other shows us behaviors we might want to leave behind. Imagine you’re a leader navigating a crisis. Would you stay calm and rally your team like a capybara, or would you prioritize self-preservation at the expense of others, quokka-style? Let’s dive into what these animals can teach us about effective (and not-so-effective) leadership.

The Capybara Approach: Leadership Done Better

Capybaras, the world’s largest rodents, are known for their social harmony and adaptability. These semi-aquatic animals thrive in large groups, working together to navigate challenges and ensure everyone’s survival. Their calm demeanor and cooperative spirit make them natural (and perhaps unlikely?) leaders in the animal kingdom.

In the workplace, the capybara’s approach might translate into traits like collaboration, trust, and resilience. A capybara-like leader creates an environment where every team member feels supported and valued. They understand the power of teamwork and know how to bring people together to achieve a common goal.

For instance, consider how capybaras often share their space with other animals, including birds and smaller creatures, who benefit from their protective presence. This behavior mirrors inclusive leadership. Great leaders, like capybaras, embrace diversity and encourage contributions from everyone on their team, recognizing that different perspectives make the group stronger.

Capybaras also model calmness under pressure. When faced with predators or environmental challenges, they rely on their social bonds and adaptability to navigate danger. Similarly, effective leaders remain composed in difficult situations, guiding their teams through uncertainty with confidence and clarity.

The Quokka Quandary: What to Avoid

Quokkas, on the other hand, take a very different approach to survival. While undeniably adorable and with cute smiles, quokkas have earned a reputation for tossing their young (joeys) out of their pouches as a distraction to predators while they make their escape. This behavior, while effective for individual survival, paints a vivid picture of self-preservation at the expense of others.

In leadership, the quokka’s strategy reflects toxic behaviors like throwing team members under the bus, shirking responsibility, or prioritizing personal success over the well-being of the group. While this might save a leader’s reputation in the short term, it erodes trust and morale, ultimately undermining the team’s success. I’ve had a few quokka bosses in my career, and I can say they are no fun to work for. Once the novelty wears off and their true colors come out - yikes! With one, things started great. They had new energy, perspectives, and experiences I thought I could learn from. Slowly, and almost imperceptibly, things shifted. They kept talking about ideas, but nothing happened. They started canceling work and projects, with nothing new being added. The list goes on.

We’ve all encountered quokka-like leaders who shift blame when things go wrong or fail to stand up for their teams. These behaviors create a culture of fear and disengagement, where team members are less likely to take risks or innovate. In contrast, great leaders own their mistakes, support their teams, and foster an environment where people feel safe to grow and learn.

Lessons in Leadership

The stark contrast between the capybara and the quokka offers some valuable insights into leadership. Capybaras can teach us to prioritize the group, build strong relationships, and stay calm under pressure. They remind us that collaboration and trust are the cornerstones of effective leadership. Quokkas, while fascinating, serve as a cautionary tale, illustrating the pitfalls of self-centered decision-making and short-sightedness.

Imagine a workplace where leaders emulate the capybara’s approach. Teams thrive in an atmosphere of mutual respect, open communication, and shared purpose. Now picture a team led by a quokka-like manager. Fear and blame stifle creativity and collaboration, leading to dissatisfaction and turnover.

As leaders, let’s ponder: Which type of leader do we want to be? How can we channel our inner capybara to better serve our teams?

Whether you’re guiding a small team or a large organization, nature’s lessons can remind us that leadership is a choice. Capybaras inspire us to lead with collaboration, courage, and calmness, while quokkas show us what to avoid.

In the end, it’s about creating an environment where everyone feels they belong, where potential is nurtured, and where challenges are met with resilience and teamwork. Let’s strive to be the capybara leaders our teams need, fostering trust, inclusion, and a shared vision for success.

?? What about you? Do you have a capybara or quokka moment to share? Please share in the comments how these lessons resonate with your leadership journey!

#LeadershipLessons #Teamwork #CapybaraWisdom #InclusiveLeadership #EmpathyInAction

Photos ~ pexels.com Quokka (left) by Lachlan Ross // Capybara (right) by Joel Alencar