Wildlife’s Lessons For Strategists

Sometimes, the most unexpected places offer valuable insights for our everyday work. After a recent trip to South Africa, I was reminded of an article I wrote when I first joined BBDO Group Germany in 2019. It explored the surprising parallels between the animal kingdom and the world of strategy.

So what can we learn about a career in strategy from our wild counterparts?

Be As Useful as an Oxpecker

What might seem like an annoying bird hitching a ride, the red-billed oxpecker is actually one of the savannahs most helpful little creatures. They get rid of pests on much larger animals as a source of food, and also sound an alarm call for those animals when they see dangerous predators approaching.

Just like the Oxpecker we need to be useful at more than just the brief. We are there to give inspiration, get rid of annoyances, and sound the alarm when we think things aren’t going to plan.

Steal Like a Drongo

The fork-tailed drongo, a songbird with glossy black feathers and garnet-red eyes, is like the trusty dog that is always alert and ready to warn you about danger nearby. It makes a specific call for a variety of predators that other animals often listen out for.

Except sometimes it’s lying. Drongo’s have learnt to make false alarm calls, which often causes meerkats to drop their food and flee the scene. Leaving the drongo to swoop in and steal the meal. They are so adapt at stealing that they have learnt to even imitate the alarm call of meerkats themselves.

As strategist we shouldn’t be afraid to steal thinking from wherever we can find it. Just remember to put your own spin on it.?

Hunt Like a Pack of African Wild Dogs

One of Africa’s most effective hunters. What makes them unique is their ability to take down prey significantly larger than they are. Also when they hunt as a pack they take turns to run in front which let’s the pack members at the back recharge and then move up as the lead dog start to tire.

As strategist we tend to think we should be more like a lone wolf but as a team and you’ll take down projects much bigger than you thought possible. Remember to also step in and help take over when other’s are starting to tire.

Put On a Show Like a Bird of Paradise

Birds of paradise have very elaborate mating rituals. These rituals involve different arrangements of their plumage, making specific calls, and cleaning up areas of forest floor for the elaborate dances. Basically they put on a show.

Whether we like to admit it or not, we are in the business of selling. What comes with that is the need for making sure what we are selling looks good. So put in some effort on how you show and present your strategy and you’ll be surprised how much easier the sell will be to clients and creative teams.?

Be As Opportunistic As a Black-Footed Cat

The black-footed cat is the deadliest cat on earth with a hunting success rate of 60%. This success is partly due to being open to eating anything it comes across whether a lizard, an insect, or desert birds.

Strategists often have a broad view of the opportunities available within an account. Don't just focus on the big-ticket projects. Seek out the smaller, overlooked opportunities, as these can often yield the most creative and impactful results for your agency.

So what's the point?

It turns out, the animal kingdom isn't just fascinating to watch on a safari – it's a surprisingly good source of inspiration for strategists.

And that got me thinking, maybe the things we're passionate about, whatever they are, hold hidden lessons too. Whether it's sports, music, cooking, or video games, there's probably something in there that can spark a new idea or approach to our work. It's like having a secret stash of inspiration, just waiting to be tapped into.