Unimpressed

Scientists recently celebrated an orangutan seemingly caring for an injury to his face. Squeezing the juice from a plant known to have antibacterial and other beneficial qualities over the wound, he then created a bandage of sort to protect it. The scratch healed and the world was stunned.

Say what?

According to scientists, orangutans diverged from human lineage some 12-15 million years ago. 12-15 million years ago and we are surprised they can heal a surface wound? It would be easy to argue that this is humanity’s hubris in that we are amazed any time we see a species other than human act in a way that is perceived as exclusively human. And you would be right.

As if our way and experience are the only possibilities.

So, what could this possibly have to do with business? Simple- what have we been missing? What have we been missing in our leadership and business worlds due to our own hubris and ignorance of possibilities and openness. Are we missing a world class leader because they don’t have the background, we deem appropriate? (Research Andrew Carnegie sometime, or even Dale). Are we not updating our processes, technology, strategy, or structure because we can’t let ourselves see how it could be different or better (hello Research in Motion). Are we overlooking new ideas because they didn’t come from the same channel or people they always have?

Are we ready to release the shackles of our own self-imposed limitations?

Or are we content with our own hubris and ‘ignorance is bliss’ perspective because it’s easy and allows us to be amazed when we see a creature whose species has been around for 15 million years healing a surface wound. The choice is yours.

If we can learn one thing from the orangutan story, it is to never let your experience, own knowledge, or view of things corner you into thinking that’s the only way. You too can heal your wounds, but you must be willing to see beyond what you think you know.

Remember, like a parachute, your mind works best when it’s open.