The following are two stories which communicate an important leadership truth:
An Isolated Dolphin
In 2019, a single bottlenose dolphin named Delle by the locals, began taking residence in the Svendborgsund channel just south of Funen Island, Denmark. Per this article, there are two unusual items about this.
First, bottlenose dolphins are highly social. Somehow, Delle became separated from his pod. Second, he has began making numerous vocal sounds. Over a two-month period in early 2023, researchers recorded Delle making an astonishing 10,833 whistles, burst-pulses, and percussions.
Olga Filatova, a cetacean biologist at the University of Southern Denmark, said, “These sounds are traditionally considered communicative, meaning there should be at least two dolphins ‘talking’ to each other. But Delle was completely alone.”
One working hypothesis is Delle is lonely and talking to himself.
A Desperate Tiger
In the December 15th edition of the e-newsletter Morning Brew, the story of two rescued Siberian tigers named Boris and Svetlaya is told. As part of a rehabilitation and conservation effort, they were released in the Russian wilderness over 100 miles apart.
However, you can’t stop true love!
Boris began seeking out his lost love. He traveled the entire distance, approximately the length of Taiwan, to reunite with Svetlaya where she was located. Six months later, the couple has a liter of tiger cubs.
6 Vital Lessons Every Leader Should Know About Healthy Relationships
The stories of Delle the dolphin and Boris the tiger highlight six vital leadership lessons about healthy relationships:
1. The Value of Connection
Just as Delle’s vocalizations suggest a deep need for connection, leaders and their teams thrive in environments of meaningful communication. Humans, like dolphins, are social creatures. Leaders should prioritize creating opportunities for collaboration and interaction to strengthen bonds within teams.
2. The Power of Persistence
Boris’s journey of over 100 miles to reunite with Svetlaya underscores the importance of determination in fostering and maintaining relationships. Building strong connections often requires effort and intentionality.
Leaders must invest time and energy in building trust and rapport with their teams, even when faced with challenges or distance (physical or emotional). Persistence in understanding and addressing team members’ needs creates lasting bonds.
3. Communication IS Life
Delle’s vocalizations reveal the universal truth that communication is vital. Leaders must ensure consistent articulation of their vision, values, and feedback to their team.
4. The Danger of Isolation and Loneliness
Delle’s isolation and potential loneliness reflect the emotional toll of disconnection. Leaders should recognize signs of isolation or burnout in their teams and take proactive measures to support individuals.
Leaders must foster inclusivity and a sense of community by integrating team members into the decision-making process. This helps cultivate a caring culture where everyone feels seen and valued.
5. Love and Loyalty Drive Extraordinary Efforts
Boris’s journey to find Svetlaya exemplifies the extraordinary lengths we must go to for those we care about. Great leaders inspire loyalty by showing care, respect, and commitment to their teams.
Smart leaders continually show appreciation for your team’s efforts, celebrate milestones, and advocate for their success. This approach often yields mutual loyalty and remarkable outcomes.
6. Adaptability in Negative Circumstances
Both Delle and Boris had to adapt to challenging and unique situations—Delle in isolation, Boris in tracking Svetlaya. Leaders, too, must be adaptable in managing relationships in evolving and often confusing circumstances.
Conclusion
To be the leader our teams need us to be, we must do the following:
- Value relationships.
- Being persistent in making healthy relationships.
- Continually communicate.
- Understand the danger of isolation and loneliness.
- Go to extraordinary lengths to preserve your relationships.
- Continually adapt.
Do these things and watch you and your teams begin to thrive.
The Perfect Christmas Gift (Kindle editions available for immediate download)
Some leaders are easily forgotten, others leave a lasting legacy. Some leaders do things by default, others by design. Some leaders want silver bullets, others build systems. The Games Leaders Play is a powerful resource which gives you the tools and resources needed to succeed in today’s world. Containing numerous stories and anecdotes, I will teach you the leadership principles needed to make a positive difference in the lives of others. You will be inspired and better equipped to lead others as you turn each page. A discussion guide is included so you can go through this book with your team. Whether you lead a church, athletic organization, business, or non-profit, The Games Leaders Play is the resource you have been looking for. Some leaders keep doing the same, others are playing a different game. It’s time to go to the next level!