Leadership is a verb – not a noun
Pinnacle
People
Development
Production
Permission
Position
The Leadership Secrets of Squirrels
 Much of material used is from the book –
The Leadership Secrets of Squirrels
By – Simon Silverback
 What can we learn from Squirrels? Especially
about leadership?
 After all – squirrels primarily scamper from branch
to branch – seemingly without purpose. They are
almost “toy-like” – chasing each other around tree
trunks.
 They appear to be dull of brain – and a pest at
times.
 They are clowns on the lawn – menace to bird
feeders – and often unsuccessful crossing a road.
So – why seek advice
on leadership from
squirrels?
 Short and simply is:
They were born to leadership –
and we are not!
 Squirrels have purpose – while you and
I have a direction.
First lesson -
Leadership without
purpose is like a
compass in the hands
of a fool – any
direction will do.
Secrets include:
 Secrets on Crossing a Road
 Secrets from the ground
 Secrets at the Birdfeeder
 Secrets from a Squirrel’s Tail
 Secrets in the Trees
 Secrets about Owls
Secrets on Crossing a Road:
Know why you are crossing the
road.
Know when to cross the road.
Stick to your niche.
Secrets on Crossing a Road:
Lead, follow, or get squashed on the
road.
Indecision is a decision with
consequences.
Too many quick decisions are worse
than no decision.
Secrets on Crossing a Road:
Doubt is as keen a sword as
confidence.
Old strategies often do not work for
new situations.
Secrets of Crossing a Road
Stay the course?
 If a problem appears – you must pick one – and only one –
action from Column A and one, and only one, from
Column B.
A
B
STOP
RETREAT
CONTINUE
CHANGE COURSE
SLOWLY
QUICKLY
Secrets on Crossing a Road:
 A car changes all plans.
 Balance planning with action.
 Be a risk taker.
 Never be afraid to reverse a bad
decision.
 Be persistent – to a point.
Secrets from the ground:
Bury many nuts, harvest few.
Surround yourself with ideas.
Not all ideas bear fruit – or nuts.
Invest today for payback
tomorrow.
Plan ahead – but not too far
ahead.
Every winter is a harsh winter.
Adapt.
Be prepared to deal with a lot of
nuts.
There are never enough nuts.
Select the right nuts.
Never count nuts while you
gather them.
Beware the nut-counters.
Unity of purpose, not unity of
thought.
Let everyone wander around.
Never be a leader in all things.
Never be a leader at all times.
Never eschew lesser tasks.
Never fear failure.
Never fear success.
Never seek excellence in all
things.
Secrets at the Birdfeeder
Never attach a competitor’s
strength.
Be wary of traps.
Know your strengths – and
weaknesses.
Be opportunistic.
Avoid distractions.
Be wary of easy pickings.
Innovate.
Secrets from a Squirrel’s Tail
You’re not in this alone.
Maintain balance.
Watch your back.
Appear larger than life.
Secrets in the Trees
 See the forest – and the trees.
 Always put a tree between yourself and danger.
 Have lofty but achievable goals.
 Select the right tree(s).
 Embrace change.
 Be flexible in all things.
 Integrate work and play.
 Seek and take advice.
 Retreat and replenish
 Avoid dogs – and dogma
Secret about Owls
Accept an owl’s wisdom.
Reject an owl’s wisdom.
Beware an owl’s beak and
talons.
The Last Leaf
Leadership – in the final analysis:
is about making choices
and the right choices when it
counts
and dealing effectively with
the bad choices along the way
 Leadership is also about
 Letting go
 And moving on
We must all develop – and hopefully
modify often – our theory of leadership.
Have you buried it for safe keeping – can
you find it?
Thank you!