Antelopes and lions in credit union leadership training

“Every morning in Africa, an antelope wakes up. It knows it must outrun the fastest lion, or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest antelope, or it will starve. It doesn't matter whether you're the lion or an antelope - when the sun comes up, you'd better be running." – African Proverb

Community financial institution leaders should always be on the move. Learning new things. Tackling new challenges. Growing, growing, growing. Because if you’re not growing…you’re stagnating.

Like the antelope and lion in the proverb, you must run!

But what’s the difference between the antelope and lion in bank and credit union leadership training? It might seem like the antelope is weaker since it “runs away,” but that’s not necessarily the case. Each leadership style has its strengths and weaknesses.

The antelope leader

Antelopes are incredibly fast and versatile…but they are also cautious. An antelope must constantly scan its surroundings for predators lurking in the grass. Like the antelope, this type of leader tends to be more cautious and risk averse.

 

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