Welcome,

Welcome dogThe Organizational Zoo is a well researched and developed set of metaphors that will enable you and your organisation to enhance performance and reduce stress.

Each animal or plant represents an intuitively recognisable behavioural style commonly encountered in organisations and social settings. By developing an understanding of the animals and how they interact, you will learn to interact in a way that secures the optimal outcomes for all parties.

Zoo Philosophy highlights that modern organisations are like zoos: they are unnatural environments where animals not naturally associated with each other are clustered into small cages and forced to interact, sometimes against their will. This unnatural environment causes stress that can lead to difficult situations and generate a negative and political culture.

The Organizational Zoo metaphor can relieve these stresses by providing a different perspective and a fun way to build relationships and generate positive change. Years of research and practice on these natural (animal and plant) metaphors, has shown that they can be used to enhance the performance of individuals, teams and organisations. The methods are simple and intuitive for workshop participants when delivered by a trained Organizational Zoo Ambassador.

Latest Blog Posts

Behavioural Adaptability is the “New Normal”

The Coronavirus pandemic has highlighted just how resistant people are to changing behaviour. Almost everyone is asking when we can “return to normal” and becoming stressed that leaders and officials are unable to provide a clear answer. The truth is after such a crisis the NEW normal is not a return to the “old ways of doing things” and this will force people out of their comfort zones. We will inevitably need to do some things differently and there will...

Behavioural DNA of Leadership

Ambassadors  and Members of The Organizational Zoo Ambassadors Network (affectionately known as OZAN) used the Zoo Character Cards to explore the behavioural DNA of Leadership.  That is, which metaphors best represents the complex behavioural capabilities required to inspire others to follow you when the situation is ideal and the organization is performing well.   Clearly, a successful leader (consciously) adjusts their behavior when the context changes and this is the critical point of facilitating "Conversations That Matter" using the Zoo concepts.  The most...

NOTE: OZAN (Organizational Zoo Ambassadors Network) members have been trained to engage people with the OZAN methods for successful outcomes. Although it is possible for experienced facilitators not previously exposed to OZAN methods to use them (providing they create an ethical and “safe-fail” environment), we strongly recommend liaising with an accredited OZAN Ambassador before attempting any interventions. As with any developmental tool, it is critical they be used in an ethical and constructive manner where behaviours are discussed rather than individual people.