Leadership Lessons from a Lion Tracker: Intuition, Presence and Purpose
What tracking lions can teach us about leading with awareness and courage.
Why I Turned to the Wild for Leadership Wisdom
I recently read The Lion Tracker’s Guide to Life by Boyd Varty, a South African tracker, author, and speaker. Raised in Londolozi Game Reserve, Varty draws on his experience tracking lions to reflect on life’s deeper questions.
His message stayed with me. As someone who grew up in South Africa and spent many holidays in the bush, this book reminded me that the wilderness has a lot to teach us about presence, resilience, and intuition. Skills every leader needs.
1. Follow the Track—Even When It's Not Clear
Trackers don’t follow straight lines. They follow clues. Sometimes faint, sometimes indirect, but always guiding them closer to their goal. Leadership is the same.
You may not always have a clear plan. But you can develop the awareness to recognise meaningful signals and the courage to keep moving forward, even when you can’t see the whole path.
Practical tip:
Trust your intuition. It’s informed by experience and subconscious awareness.
When facing uncertainty, ask: What’s the courageous next step here?
2. Presence Is Power
A tracker is hyper-aware of their environment. Every sound, scent, or shift in the dust could be a clue. This level of presence takes practice but it’s also the foundation of effective leadership.
In a world of constant distraction, leaders who are fully present in meetings, conversations, and decisions stand out. They listen better, connect more deeply, and think more clearly.
Practical tip:
Take a pause before important conversations.
Silence digital distractions.
Model mindful leadership for your team.
3. Nature Offers Perspective
Trackers know they’re part of something bigger. Nature gives them perspective, humility, and renewal. Stepping outdoors does the same for leaders.
Whether it’s a walking meeting, a few minutes outside between calls, or coaching sessions in green spaces, the act of changing your environment shifts your mindset.
Practical tip:
Take thinking time in nature.
Use coaching walks for deeper, creative conversations.
Step away from the desk to shift perspective.
4. Community Matters
Varty writes about the trust and interdependence among trackers. They rely on each other for survival and success. Leadership isn’t a solo sport either.
Invest in real relationships. Ones where there’s honesty, safety, and support. In times of uncertainty, these relationships sustain your energy and keep you grounded.
Practical tip:
Build strong bonds through regular check-ins and genuine conversations.
Mentor others, and be open to being mentored.
Final Thought:
What Track Will You Follow?
Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about listening deeply, choosing courage, and staying open to the path unfolding.
Ready to Lead with More Presence and Intuition?
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Through executive coaching and leadership development experiences —
I support senior leaders to:
Lead with clarity in uncertain times
Tap into intuition and deeper awareness
Reconnect with purpose and vision
