This Place is a Zoo!

This Place is a Zoo!

Henry Beeland

It’s true. Sometimes our work places seem more like the zoo than an efficient office or organization. It can seem like everyone is speaking different languages, operating with different agendas, and working in completely different directions. The “give me results now” lions may be running rampant and frustrating the “we need more data” owls; the “where’s the safety and security” lambs may be aggravating the “big picture” weasels; and the “I can please everyone” dog is driving the “we need to get more done” ant absolutely nuts!

At times this overactive zoo can really frustrate us and cause us to question the motivations, determination, and even the abilities of our team members. There is a deeper truth to what we sometimes see on the surface. All of these “animals” as well as the other animals in our zoo, such as the dolphin, chameleon, and fox are really looking for the same thing: effective communications and team success. We all have this idea of where we need to be collectively, but we may not understand the path we need to take to arrive at our goals or objectives. We might mean to communicate and we might honestly believe that understanding exists, even though others are wondering why we are not communicating with THEM at all.

We need to develop a few Dr. Doolittle traits. We need to understand the value each of the animals brings to the zoo, and we need to develop a thorough understanding of the language each animal speaks, and therefore hears. By doing this, we are more capable of establishing effective communications that lead to greater results and increased performance. Additionally, we can allow team members to thrive where they are best suited for maximum productivity and personal as well as team motivation.

Imagine that – productivity and performance increases because we learn to talk to the animals! It really is that simple. Here are a few examples of the communication styles and motivators for the animals in our zoo.

ANIMAL
COMMUNICATION STYLE
MOTIVATOR

Lion
Results driven; Bullet points only
Bottom-line results

Lamb
Security driven; Often and much
Safety and security

Weasel
Results driven; Bullet points mostly
Big picture thinking

Dolphin
Likes the whole story with background
People driven

Owl
Data and facts; More, more, more…
Information

Ant
Need to know info only
Productivity and tasks

Chameleon
Bullet points mostly, but check back later
Adaptability

Fox
Small amounts when necessary
Self accomplishment

Dog
Whatever it takes; all forms accepted
Approval




Learning to communicate with each animal based upon their communication style ensures greater understanding and less conflict. Of course, increased understanding and decreased conflicts helps our organization create improved productivity and performance. By understanding and responding to each animal’s primary motivators we are able to assign responsibilities and tasks that compliment their views about themselves. This ensures happier employees with a higher degree of job satisfaction.

Beware, though, there lurks in practically every zoo a few very negative animals that we need to become conscious of and capable of dealing with. There’s the quick and decisive vulture, the threatening rattlesnake, the battle-scarred triceratops, the disinterested sloth, and the “me-me-me” X-breed. These animals have a great deal of ability to harm the flow of the other animals in the zoo, and if left unchecked, they can utterly destroy any sort of harmony in our group.

Remember, each of these negative animals was at one time one of the previously mentioned positive contributors to our zoo. Over time and under the right circumstances they have become jaded and disillusioned to the point of rust-out or burn-out. By understanding them better we are more capable of helping them return to the positive zoo, and once again enjoy the beauty of all of our “animals”, the value we each possess, and the increased abilities we own as a team when we embrace our differences.

How do we do this? By learning about the ultimate leadership exhibit always featured at our zoo. You already know the two participants in the ultimate leadership exhibit: the eagle and the unicorn.

The eagle is that leader who is inspirational, strong, focused, confident, positive, and caring. We see them soaring above the fray and frustration, tackling stress, dealing with success and failure with the same zest, and always working to care for the others. In short, eagles create high-performing, high-impact teams.

The unicorn, on the other hand, is that mythical perfect leader, often arrogant and aloof, with just the right amount of insecurity that causes both the unicorn and the rest of us frustration and doubt. You’ve seen them right? No? Of course not – that’s the point - you can never find them. You hear about them, but you never really see them. That’s why they often create politically divided teams and workplaces.

Don’t be frustrated by your zoo. Embrace it! Celebrate the unique qualities each of the animals brings to work with them every day, and then work to help them maximize these qualities for the company, the team, and themselves.

Henry Beeland is Founder and CEO of Evergreen Team Concepts and author of This Place is a Zoo! Corporate training program.

For more information on This Place is a Zoo! Corporate training program and the many customized programs deliverable to your team, contact:

Evergreen Team Concepts

3600 Meridian Street

Bellingham, WA 98225

Phone - (360) 647-6922

Email - info@etcwa.com