Our boys love watching animal documentaries and studying wildlife together. So during the August holiday, my husband and I had the joy of taking our three sons on a safari drive at Kruger National Park in South Africa. As we drove through the bushveld, each of us scanned the horizon, wide-eyed and hopeful, searching for the one animal we all adore—the lion.
Adopting these habits will help you stay connected, productive and effective throughout the year.
We drove uphill and downhill, paused at watering holes, and waited in anticipation, convinced that the king of the jungle would eventually appear. But minutes turned into hours, and still no lion. What began as excitement slowly gave way to disappointment. Our joy was fizzling, our anticipation draining. We were wasting away our precious time—longing for what was absent instead of delighting in what was present.
So we agreed to shift our focus—to savor what was present rather than ache for what was missing.
That shift changed everything. Suddenly, our eyes were opened.
Not far from the road, we spotted a herd of elephants browsing peacefully in a thicket. The mother elephant gently broke twigs for her little ones, while the father stood nearby, like a quiet sentinel guarding his family. Their presence radiated strength and tenderness. We were all captivated. A couple of minutes later, we drove off and we came upon a bridge overlooking a podof hippos basking motionless in the African sun. Their thick, glistening skin absorbed the heat as they lay undisturbed, and seemingly secure in one another’s company.
Not far off from this sight, we also spotted—a large herd of impalas, likely made up of several families, moving in graceful procession toward the riverbank. They galloped in rhythm, each one focused on an unspoken goal, each one following closely behind the other.
As I sat in our car, reflecting on the beauty of what we’d seen, one truth stood out: every animal moved in a herd. Whether elephants, hippos, or impalas, they found safety, strength, and they also seemed to find purpose in community. It reminded me of a familiar principle:
There is strength in numbers. Predators like lions and leopards don’t attack the herd—they look for the one that has wandered off. The isolated one. The vulnerable one.
In leadership, the same principle applies. We are not meant to lead in isolation. No matter how gifted or visionary we are, we need others—partners, mentors, teammates, and friends—to thrive and fulfill our purpose. Cultivating relationships is not optional; it is essential as long as you want to thrive in your leadership.
Take time to ponder on these questions:
1. What herd are you part of?
2. Are you in the right herd—one that nurtures, protects, and propels you forward?
3. What role do you play in your herd? Are you a protector, a guide, a nurturer?
4. Are you walking in step with your community, or have you drifted into isolation?
Leadership is not just about standing out—it’s about walking together.
Strength is found not in solo strides, but in synchronized steps.
We hope you enjoyed this article. If there is something that stood out to you and is prompting you want to learn more as an individual or group please get in touch with us. If you have a story of impact that you want to share with us let us know. Contact us today.
Stay in touch with what we are doing around the country by subscribing and following us on our social media handles below.
Cynthia Mabaso Chimanikire
This article was written by Cynthia Mabaso Chimanikire. Cynthia is the co-founder of New Gates and heads the organisation’s operations and learning strategies. Prior to joining New Gates full-time, Cynthia worked at the Central Bank of Eswatini as the Skills Development Consultant for the Bank’s Academy. Cynthia is married to Berven and together raises three leaders in their home Ethan, Zamar and Joseph. Cynthia’s is passionate about discipleship in families and organisations. Her mantra is “Raising Leaders for tomorrow”.
