The Resistance Zoo

The moment a business or an organisation thinks about change, it’s surprising how many (metaphorical) animals you can spot as the process gets underway. Thinking in animal terms is an entertaining and useful guide to the make up of the group tasked with embracing and implementing any form of change program.

The animals in our Zoo
Like most zoos (so non-PC, we’re sorry!), the chances are you will have seen or even met many of these on your journeys. The big question is – how many have you been able to get back in their cages and how many have escaped to create havoc?

Ostriches
You know this one. The ostrich famously buries its head in the sand when faced with danger. Like a small child, they work on the principle that if they cannot see the threat (predator) then the risk will pass because it cannot see them. This does not seem to be a very good survival strategy. Fortunately, the ostrich also has very long legs and can run away at speed.

Moles
Moles are dark and find things difficult to see. They burrow underground and are hard to find. Then they pop up when you think everything has been completed and the change is complete. What do they do next? They make a horrible mess of things and are very destructive.

Tigers
Tigers fight tooth and claw all the way. They are powerful - or at least that is what they want you to believe. Hurt them only a little and they will seek to hurt you a whole lot more. Their message is this: mess with me at your peril. Go make your change elsewhere you little snack!

Dogs
Dogs know that, although they are not bad fighters by themselves, they are far more powerful as a pack. They seek one another out and attack ‘en masse’. They are not fearless but know that together they can tip the fear balance. They can fight dirty and nip at you until you are down and then tear you apart. Make sure you have plenty of ‘treats’ in your pockets!

Owls
Owls are wise and knowledgeable people. They sit on the branches in their tree, pontificating and pointing down at the trivial world below. They know better than you and are not slow to point this out, as well as pointing out all the little faults in your change project (which is, of course, somewhat below them).

Snails
Well, you know, those old snails, they are just so slow. They creep along at, well, snail’s pace and hope that you will leave them to their own devices. Tough to get to come out of their shells…

Simon Dover

All images found on Google. No offense or copyright infringement intended. Images can be removed if requested by originator.