4 Ways Animals Can Teach Us to Succeed

Long have we labored under our misconceived superiority to animals, believing that bipedal locomotion, opposable thumbs, and an oversized frontal lobe cements us at the top of the pyramid. However, there is still much we underestimate about the creatures we share the earth with.

To make Descartes' glaring error and think of them purely as automatons deprives us of invaluable understanding. They may not finance wars, short stocks, or use Twitter, but animals surpass us in many ways. There is much we can learn from them—especially when it comes to success.

1. Being present

Humans are rarely in the Now, often either contemplating the future or dwelling on the past. On the other hand, animals know only the eternal moment. Even observing them (whether at home or in the wild) can have a hugely beneficial meditative effect.

2. Compassion.

Whether it's interspecies friendships or foster parenting, compassion has no limits with animals. The relationships we foster with our pets also enable us to imagine the needs and wants of a being totally other than ourselves.

Contrary to popular belief, compassion is a key component of success. For any business to run smoothly, employees and associates must be well cared for. What's more, knowing we're tending to their needs will also increase our fulfillment and well-being.

3. Respecting Elders

In the wild, survival depends upon the ability of older generations to impart their knowledge. Older elephants can discern the signs of oncoming natural disasters. and chimpanzees share some of our cultural attributes, passing down skills to their group.

Many workplaces suffer from ageism. Technological advancement often means younger people dismiss the wisdom of their seniors. But just because our older colleague or boss might not know the intricacies of SEO, doesn't mean she hasn't valuable expertise to share with us.

4. Teamwork

For most animals, having each other’s back is the key to survival. Scientists have found that fish swim in schools, wasps swarm, and lions have social cliques because it maintains the stability of the ecosystem, enabling them to hunt or survive predator attacks.

Humans are social animals and need each other more than the individualistic ideology of capitalism suggests. It is only through cooperation that we become stronger, smarter, and more resilient—setting aside our mutual differences and working for the benefit of the whole team.

Conclusion

Ignorance can often lead to arrogance, as what we don't understand we assume to be inferior in some way. But the more we learn about animals, the more we realize how much this vast panoply of life can tell us about ourselves and teach us to flourish as a species.