The Eternal Cycle

What the Serengeti can teach us about leadership and transformation

Example

Inspiration Stories

The old lion

At the edge of a small grove of acacia trees, an old lion named Juma lay in the tall grass. Juma had ruled his pride for many years, his strength and wisdom guiding them through the challenges of the wild. But now, his once-golden mane was streaked with gray, his muscles were tired and weak, and he knew that he would soon take his last breath.

As Juma rested, he gazed across the plains, watching the zebras grazing in the distance, the wildebeest herds moving in rhythm with the winds, and the playful antics of the younger lions in his pride. He felt no fear, only a deep connection to the land and life around him. He understood, as all creatures of the Serengeti do, that death was not an end but a transformation.

‍

The vultures and the beetles

When Juma passed away, the vultures were first to arrive. They circled overhead, and with a swoop, they descended, their sharp beaks making quick work of what remained of Juma’s once-majestic form. Often seen as harbingers of death, the vultures were actually a vital part of the circle of life. They cleaned the plains, ensuring that nothing went to waste and that the land remained healthy for the living.

As the vultures finished their task and flew away, the beetles came next. Small, seemingly insignificant creatures, they burrowed into the soil beneath Juma’s body, breaking down what remained into nutrients that would enrich the earth. The soil, now rich with the essence of the old lion, became fertile ground for new life to flourish.

‍

The grass and the herbivores

With time, the rains came, gentle at first, then stronger, soaking the Serengeti. Where Juma had once lain, the grass began to grow, lush and green, nourished by the nutrients left behind. The wind carried the seeds far and wide, and soon, the plains were carpeted in vibrant grasslands.

A herd of gazelles, graceful and swift, grazed on the fresh shoots. Each blade of grass, born from the soil enriched by Juma’s remains, provided the energy they needed to survive in this wilderness. The grass grew strong from the sunlight and the rain, its strength rooted in the nutrients recycled from the lion who had once roamed these very plains.

‍

The cheetah and her cubs

In the shade of baobab tree, a mother cheetah watched the gazelles intently, her muscles coiled like springs, ready to strike. She had three cubs waiting nearby, their bellies empty and their eyes wide with anticipation. With a burst of speed, she dashed across the plains, catching one of the gazelles with a swift, powerful strike.

As she and her cubs fed, they drew strength from the gazelle’s body, the nutrients from the grass it had eaten now becoming part of them. This meal would give the cubs the energy they needed to grow, learn to hunt and, one day, start families of their own.

‍

The circle of life

Years passed and the cycle continued. The cubs grew into strong cheetahs, the grasslands thrived, and the old lion, though gone, was never truly absent. His energy, his very essence, had been passed on through the vultures, the beetles, the grass, the gazelles, and the cheetahs. He had become part of the Serengeti itself, a vital link in the endless chain of life.

This is the law of preservation of energy and matter manifesting at the biological level. In the Serengeti, nothing ever really dies; every cell of every being becomes food, nourishment, and energy for the next cycle of beings. The lions, the vultures, the beetles, the grass, the herbivores, and the predators—they are all connected, each playing its part in the grand cycle.

And so, under the vast sky of the Serengeti, the circle of life continues—an eternal dance of creation, transformation, and renewal.

Endings to beginnings – key leadership lessons

The story of the Serengeti offers a number of lessons about leadership, drawn from the interconnectedness of nature and the cycle of life. It is a reminder that death and endings can offer nutrients for whatever may come next.

Here are some leadership insights that can support you to become more comfortable with endings:

Renewal and regeneration: Understand that endings can lead to fresh beginnings. As a leader, it’s essential to know when to close one chapter to allow for new growth and opportunities.
Embracing change and transformation: Letting go of the old can pave the way for innovation and growth. Stay open to change, and recognize when it’s time for you to evolve.
Legacy and lasting impact: True leadership is about creating a lasting legacy that strengthens your organization and empowers those who come after you. Focus on the impact you want to leave behind.

By embracing that transition and transformation and key to long-term organizational health and sustainability, leaders can build resilient organizations that thrive in a constantly changing environment.

This Inspiration Story is filed under:

Doula