"Guided by Instinct: What Animals Teach Us About Leadership"

A Dad´s Reflections

Have you ever wondered why, in the animal world, strength and leadership go hand in hand, while for us humans, the choice isn’t always so straightforward? In a wolf pack, the leader is the strongest and wisest wolf, one who ensures the survival and stability of the group. Elephants follow the oldest female, whose years of experience guide them through scarce water and safe migration. For most animals, choosing a leader is simple—they follow those who keep them safest.

In lion prides, the leader is one who has proven strength through countless challenges. Chimpanzees, meanwhile, often pick a leader based not just on strength but on trust, social bonds, and even a kind of fairness that keeps the group united. And for honeybees, the queen is chosen because she fulfills a specific purpose: to nurture and sustain the hive. For animals, leadership seems straightforward; they choose those who fulfill the group’s needs and keep them going.

But for us humans, leadership can be more complex. We often elect leaders, especially politicians, to tackle issues we care about deeply. We vote for change, hoping they’ll steer our society in the direction we envision. And yet, I’ve felt it myself—seeing promises fade once the election is over, priorities shift, and the change many of us voted for seems to evaporate into words. It’s strange and a bit disheartening how frequently this happens.

If an animal leader ignored the group’s needs or acted in self-interest, the consequences would be immediate. They’d lose trust, face challenges, and eventually, the group would replace them. In the animal world, there’s no tolerance for a leader who doesn’t serve the group’s wellbeing. But in our world, it’s easy for leaders to become entangled in ambition or influenced by factors far removed from the promises they made. It makes me wonder why we don’t hold them to the same clear accountability.

So, let me ask: If you had to choose, what would your idea of a leader be? Do you prefer the straightforward reliability of animals’ choice of leaders or the idealistic, complex approach we often see in humans? We humans often pride ourselves on being more intelligent than animals, capable of grand ideas and visions. But do these qualities always benefit the group, or do they sometimes lead us astray? Intelligence can be a gift, but when leaders lose sight of the needs of those they serve, I wonder if our complex thinking and ambition get in the way of true service.

In today’s world, we have tools that previous generations could only dream of—social media and traditional media give us an unprecedented ability to track, question, and discuss our leaders’ actions. Social media lets voters see and share information instantly, enabling real-time accountability that keeps leaders aware that their words and actions are closely watched. And traditional media, with its resources and reach, has the potential to investigate and spotlight where leaders have or haven’t kept their promises. If used thoughtfully, these platforms can provide voters with the insights needed to make informed choices.

By engaging with these tools—following up on leaders’ actions, participating in discussions, and supporting media that holds leaders to their commitments—we might create a stronger foundation for trust. It’s not perfect, but it’s a step in the right direction. By staying vigilant, involved, and encouraging transparency, we might start to bridge the distance between words and actions in those who lead us.

In the end, perhaps the best leaders are those who bring together the focus of animal leaders with the human ability to inspire and uplift. Whether it’s a wolf pack or a city council, true leadership is about taking action today that safeguards tomorrow.

Dad