The U-Zoo

Origin of Species

"Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom."
-Aristotle

What this is:

• Informal assessment activity
• A tool for understanding SOME of your patterns and tendencies
• Key to understanding personality traits so you can build a positive organizational culture
• Road map for better communication

What this is not:

• Permanent label
• An excuse to box people into our easiest understanding
• A "weapon of mass simplification"

Think about yourself.

• Rank the words on each row 1- 4
• 4 is "most like you" and 1 is "least like you"
• Total each column
• Circle the column(s) with the highest score

Find your fellow animals.

• Group with all of the people who have the same high score as you
• Send someone for supplies
• Work as a group to create three lists: 1. Things you like; 2. Things you don't like; 3. Preferred styles of communication

Lions are awesome.

Here's why:

• Motivated by excellence, competition, and authority
• Prefer big picture thinking over smaller details
• Great at making decisions and taking care of others
• Focus on the "WHAT" in any situation

Porpoises are awesome.

Here's why:

• Motivated by relationships, social connection, and inclusion
• Prefer story telling, spontaneity, and collective experiences
• Great at making people feel cared for and included
• Focus on the "who" in any situation

Koalas are awesome.

Here's why:

• Motivated by harmony, cooperation, and collaboration
• Prefer listening to speaking and avoiding drama
• Great at knowing how everyone is feeling and caring for others
• Focus on the "how" in any situation

Eagles are awesome.

Here's why:

• Motivated by logic, reason, and organization
• Prefer order over chaos and developing strategic systems
• Great at considering all of the options and creating solid plans
• Focus on the "why" in any situation

Good Communication

with a LION:

• Be brief
• Be straight forward
• Be timely
• Be sturdy
• Answer the "What?"

With a Porpoise:

• Be positive
• Be interested
• Be relatable
• Be patient
• Answer the "Who?"

With a Koala:

• Be approachable
• Be thoughtful
• Be quiet
• Be kind
• Answer the "How?"

With an Eagle:

• Be on time
• Be organized
• Be logical
• Be inquisitive
• Answer the "Why?"

Leaders are Zoo Keepers

Here's how:

• Unlock their cages
• Feed their needs
• Teach them to co-habitate

"I suppose at one time leadership meant muscles; but today it means getting along with people."



Mahatma Gandhi

Thank you