Leadership Tips for World Giraffe Day!

World Giraffe Day (also known as International Giraffe Day) is held on June 21st every year. The date was chosen to celebrate the world's TALLEST animal on the LONGEST day of the year in the northern hemisphere. Established by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF) in 2014, World Giraffe Day is an opportunity to celebrate the beauty and intelligence of these incredible creatures.

In addition, it's also a good day to think about leadership. Jo Ann Herold, founder and chief marketing officer of Herold Growth Consulting, wrote in Fast Company, "One of the defining traits of a giraffe is its height. With its long neck, a giraffe can see far and wide, giving it a unique perspective of its surroundings. In business and in life, perspective is everything. The ability to see beyond what's directly in front of you - to anticipate change, to connect dots others don't see yet, to envision a bigger future - is what differentiates great leaders from good ones...I've always believed seeing the bigger picture is what leads to transformational change. Just like a giraffe, I want to keep my head high, looking ahead to what's possible, rather than getting lost in the weeds of the present."

SHARE THIS: See beyond what's directly in front of you to anticipate change, connect dots others don't see yet, and envision a bigger future. (Thanks to Jo Ann Herold.) #WorldGiraffeDay #LeadershipTip #DebbieLaskeysBlog

SHARE THIS: Keep your head high - don't get lost in the weeds. (Thanks to Jo Ann Herold.) #WorldGiraffeDay #LeadershipTip #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Leadership expert Jonathan Catherman also wrote about giraffes and leadership, "What I discovered in my research about the majestic giraffe was indeed relevant to the principles and qualities of a truly visionary leader...A giraffe's clear, elevated vision also helps in protection because it can identify and avoid dangers long before they become disasters. Likewise, visionary leaders are adept at seeing danger and protecting themselves and others; they are proactive in resolving issues before they become detrimental to the organization, group, or community. And when unexpected dangers do arise, visionary leaders don't hesitate to take effective action."

SHARE THIS: Be proactive in resolving issues before they become detrimental to the organization. (Thanks to Jonathan Catherman.) #WorldGiraffeDay #LeadershipTip #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Check out these interesting facts about giraffes:

(1) A group of giraffes is called a tower.

(2) Like human fingerprints, no two giraffes have the same spot pattern.

(3) Giraffes can reach a height of 18 feet.

(4) The color of a giraffe's tongue is black/bue/purple, and the leading theory is as a form of protection from sunburn - because giraffes forage in strong sunlight all day.

(5) Giraffes only need to drink once every few days. Most of their water comes from the plants they eat.

(6) Giraffes can run as fast as 35 miles an hour over short distances, or cruise at 10 mph over longer distances.

(7) Giraffes only need 5 to 30 minutes of sleep in a 24-hour period.

(8) A male giraffe can weigh as much as a car.

(9) Giraffes are herbivores - they only eat plants. 

(10) The giraffe's only close relation is the okapi, an animal resembling a cross between a zebra and a giraffe.

And lastly, while many of us have seen giraffes at zoos or been fortunate to feed them at wildlife reserves, are you familiar with Giraffe Manor? It is the number one hospitality brand associated with giraffes.

According to The Safari Collection, "Giraffe Manor is one the most iconic hotels in the world but also plays a vital role in the conservation of Kenya's Rothschild's Giraffe. Before the Manor became a hotel, it was a breeding centre for the highly endangered Rothschild's Giraffe and remains so to this day. It has played an integral part in the stabilisation of Rothschild's Giraffe numbers, and giraffes are frequently taken from the centre and released into the wild. One of the most fascinating things about Giraffe Manor Hotel is its resident herd of Nubian Giraffe who may visit morning and evening, poking their long necks into the windows in the hope of a treat, before retreating to their forest sanctuary. Giraffe Manor works closely with the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW) to support the conservation and breeding of endangered Nubian Giraffes. The success of the programme has seen wild Nubian Giraffes recover from the brink of extinction."

So will you visit a zoo today to wave at giraffes, or will you lead like a giraffe?

Image Credit: Vladimir Turkenich via Shutterstock.

Visit the Giraffe Manor online:

https://www.thesafaricollection.com/properties/giraffe-manor/