“Some people talk to animals. Not many listen though,” said A.A. Milne, who created the beloved Winnie-the-Pooh cartoon series. The writer alludes to the many valuable lessons we can learn from closely observing and ‘listening’ to behaviour across the animal kingdom.
At QNET, we took this advice seriously and compiled a list of the most extraordinary animal behaviours and traits to motivate entrepreneurs, especially those who are just starting out.
Lesson #1 – Turning Adversity to Opportunity
In many animal species, adolescent males are asked to leave their tribe and learn to fend for themselves. Young lions are forced to go outside of their comfort zone to find and establish new territories to survive and thrive, on their own.
As an entrepreneur, you’ll be expected to face numerous risks. Learning to turn adversity into opportunity will teach you how to approach risks and handle adversities.
Lesson #2 – Learning to Work With Others
Not all animals living in the wild, come to the watering hole at the same time. Herbivores, omnivores and carnivores often visit the same watering hole at different times and amicably share this precious resource. We can see this cooperative behaviour in the Serengeti ecosystem of Africa, even in times of water scarcity in the summer.
Entrepreneurs can learn that in the most unstable market conditions, there is scope for a collaborative approach. One can strike a mutually beneficial understanding with various market stakeholders including competitors, vendors and suppliers. It can also help you improve your network in the industry.
On the other hand, operating in silos is equal to becoming endangered. The animal world teaches us that the easiest way to enter the list of endangered is to become solitary – for example, tigers, rhinos and polar bears. Teamwork and cooperation always pay off.
Lesson #3 – Embrace the Struggle
Be it the spider continuously spinning its ever-widening web or the pupa that strains to emerge out of the cocoon – animals teach us that struggle is a natural part of progress and prosperity. A compassionate onlooker who helps the pupa out of the cocoon is actually robbing its future as a butterfly as their interference stops the natural flow of blood to the wings. Entrepreneurs instinctively know that they must embrace the struggle and learn to trust the process.
Lesson #4 – The Art of Persuasion
To become an expert at client acquisition, entrepreneurs can take inspiration from the males of most species in wooing their mates. The tailor bird builds an exquisite nest, the stag locks horns with an opponent stag, the peacock impresses with his plumage and so on. These males may experience rejection before they get the opportunity to pass on their genes.
Like them, entrepreneurs must bounce back from failure and learn from their mistakes. Negotiation is an invaluable skill that needs to be worked to perfection before you ultimately succeed.
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Lesson #5 – Nurture the Future
The most successful species are those in which parents nurture and bring up their offspring. Besides humans, there are a host of mothers from other species such as orangutans, gorillas, elephants etc. – who are outstanding at teaching the most essential life lessons to their young.
To make sure business continues to grow, experienced entrepreneurs need to pass on their wisdom and knowledge to groom future leaders.
Read More: Top 5 Leadership Lessons for QNET Entrepreneurs
Lesson #6 – Have Multiple Role Models
In a typical primate tribe, offspring can learn from adults, who are not necessarily their parents. This is common even among elephants, who are matriarchal in nature. Other female adults in the herd help a newborn calf to its feet. When the herd is moving, older adults manage the pace so that the youngest ones can keep up. The young ones also learn about which plants to eat and which ones to avoid.
This behaviour emphasises the need to have the right role models and mentors. Having just one role model can lead to them becoming your idol, and when you idolise someone, you become blind to their flaws. With multiple role models, you will be able to get the guidance and lessons to succeed in the future.
Read More: Key Takeaways for Direct Sellers from the Leading Lights of the Entrepreneurial World | QNET India
Lesson #7 – Thorough Preparation And Careful Planning
The cheetah may be the fastest land animal, but it can’t maintain top speed for long durations. That’s why it crouches in the high grass, sets its sight on the target, and gets as close as possible before beginning the chase.
As an entrepreneur building on your start-up venture, you can do all the necessary homework, research, and planning to get yourself into a good position. Then you can take the leap.
Looking to get into direct selling? Here’s everything you need to know: Understanding the ABCs of direct selling and its future in India I QNET Reviews
Lesson #8 – Ditch Your Ego
Follow the behaviour and attitude of fire ants. Many naturalists consider the South American fire ant as the most successful species on the planet because they can thrive in challenging conditions. For instance, a heavy flood might make other species and even humans scamper for cover. But fire ants quickly reorganise themselves to tide the wave. They use pupae and larvae as floatation devices, breathe underwater for hours and hold hands to create a raft with their bodies.
Similarly, a start-up might experience all kinds of tough times. Division of labour can be as unpredictable as market conditions. That’s why as an entrepreneur, you must train your employees – like an ant colony – to willingly do whatever it takes to overcome the hurdles. There is no room for ego when you are fighting to survive and thrive.
There is much to learn from Mother Nature. By learning these lessons from the wild, entrepreneurs can find success even in the incredibly competitive direct selling industry in India. QNET India mirrors the philosophy of the animal kingdom and empowers people through personal development and its entrepreneurial spirit. Join the QNET networking business today and get started on your entrepreneurial journey.
