Learning From the Ant

Proverbs 6:6-11 (MSG) You lazy fool, look at an ant. Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two. Nobody has to tell it what to do. All summer it stores up food; at harvest it stockpiles provisions. So how long are you going to laze around doing nothing? How long before you get out of bed? A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there, sit back, take it easy--do you know what comes next? Just this: You can look forward to a dirt-poor life, poverty your permanent houseguest!

• 6:6 (AMP) Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways and be wise!—


• Job 12:7a, 9, 10 (NIV) "But ask the animals, and they will teach you…which of all these does not know that the hand of the LORD has done this [allowed calamity to befall Job]? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.


• Proverbs 30:25 (NASB) The ants are not a strong people, but they prepare their food in the summer;

The instruction was simple, but profound. "You think you have it made, do you. You can rest awhile. Well, consider the ant. And be wise." The lesson to be learned in your observation is not just to collect facts, and information, and a body of knowledge; rather, learn to be wise.

The ant society has no leader, no guide, no management team, but follows only the instinct of nature living out the patterns set forth by its Creator. Our work is not just our job; a believer’s work is to “make disciples” no matter what we are doing. From the ant we learn that we are to “redeem the time” in following the Great Commission. It is our responsibility – not the pastor’s our some other spiritual leader. Ours.

Here is a collection of 16 ant “behaviors” that mirror human behavior. Observe and be wise.

Armed Forces: During attack, they will raise up an army of specialized soldier ants
Career Training: Ants learn particular jobs, especially worker ants, then, on some schedule, change & learn new careers
Childcare: Ants feed their young and provide intensive nursery care
Civic Duties: During catastrophes, respond with massive group projects
Controlling Climate: Ant nests maintain a strict 77o F. for developing ants
Communications: Ants have a complex tactile, chemical communication system
Cultivation: They forage, but also grow underground gardens for food
Earth Movers: Ants move at least as much soil as earthworms – consider the size difference and then be astounded!
Education: Ants may be the only group of animals besides us in which interactive teaching behavior has been observed during their life: they teach younger ants the tricks of the trade.
Engineering: Incredible ability to tunnel from two directions and meet exactly midway
Flood Control: When building nests, incorporate water traps to keep out rain
Limited Free Will: It seems that ant inter-relationships more symbiotic than coercive
Livestock Farming: Ants will herd aphids down to their nest at night, "milk" them for nectar-like food, and when it warms during the day, herd the aphids back up to plants
Planning: Ants store food in the warm summer to feed a colony all of winter
Security: Ants maintain a security system, warding off other ants, insects, and animals
Social Planning: Colonies maintain ratio of worker ants, soldier ants, and ants tasked with reproducing

© Copyright 2006 P. Griffith Lindell

Leaders Learn From the Ant

This instruction is simple, but profound: "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways and be wise!" The ant society has no leader, no guide, no management team, but follows a pattern of work built into them by their Creator from which we can learn.

Four of the sixteen observed ant “behaviors” include:

Career Training: Ants learn particular jobs, especially worker ants; then, on some schedule, change & learn new careers – small business demands learning many tasks and doing each well. Larger business benefit from people who take on different tasks within an organization to better understand the "how" - something like ants!

Education: Ants may be the only group of animals besides us in which interactive teaching behavior has been observed during their life: they pace instruction to the learner’s ability – not all your employees use the same learning style as you did. Observe. Teach them based on how they learn. Some want visual examples - drawings, pictures, etc.: other, just written instructions; some want to watch before they do; others combine all for best learning.

Planning: Ants store food in the warm summer to feed a colony all of winter – Planning is one key to survival. Do you have a business plan? Like ANTS, remember, you must always be planning.

Limited Free Will: It seems that ant inter-relationships between ants more symbiotic than coercive. All of the above thrive in a symbiotic relationship. We can always learn from each other. Symbiotic relationships build on each other's strengths - working together to solve problems, no matter the "rank" of the team member. It's about solving a problem, not securing status. It's about listening. Communicating. On the other hand, coercive relationships are all about "me" and how "I" can get you to do what "I" want, when "I" want it. There is no "team" in coercive, save for the leader ( the "me" person) an all the other team members.

Observe and be wise: Leaders mentor, sacrificing time often to teach – even in tough times; a caring leader paces the instruction; and, an effective leader actively listens, interacting and communicating.

What kind of relationships do you cultivate: symbiotic or coercive?

Copyright ©2009 P. Griffith Lindell

Leadership Lessons from the Ant – Part II

Proverbs 6: 6 (AMP)

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider her ways and be wise! -

---

The instruction is simple, but profound. The ant society has no leader, no guide, no management team, but follows pattern of work built into them by their Creator.

Three observed ant “behaviors” that mirror our work include:

• Career Training: Ants learn particular jobs, especially worker ants; then, on some schedule, change & learn new careers
• Education: Ants may be the only group of animals besides us in which interactive teaching behavior has been observed during their life: they pace instruction to the learner’s ability
• Limited Free Will: It seems that ant inter-relationships more symbiotic than coercive.

Observe and be wise: Leaders mentor, sacrificing time often to teach; a caring leader paces the instruction; and, an effective leader actively listens, interacting and communicating.

What kind of relationships do you cultivate: symbiotic or coercive?

Copyright ©2007 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leaderships Lessons Derived From Studying the Ant

Proverbs 6:6-11 (MSG) You lazy fool, look at an ant. Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two. Nobody has to tell it what to do. All summer it stores up food; at harvest it stockpiles provisions. So how long are you going to laze around doing nothing? How long before you get out of bed? A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there, sit back, take it easy--do you know what comes next? Just this: You can look forward to a dirt-poor life, poverty your permanent houseguest!


Ants in the kitchen! The mystery remains the source – perhaps some of the fresh strawberries we picked. Pesky little things that demand a second look, according to this verse.

The lesson to be learned in your observation is not just to collect facts, and information, and a body of knowledge; rather, learn to be wise.

For example, ants may be the only group of animals besides humans in which interactive teaching behavior has been observed during their life. That learning seems also to be future-focused, teaching younger ants what they need to know to be effective producers.

Like the ant, leaders should be mentoring. Sharing the “tricks of the trade:” Allowing the “mentee” to discover some “wrong ways” to do something so that a better way may be learned. Answering questions with questions or telling a story and letting the employee work at discovery. Learning.

Leaders are then building a succession plan that has a potential of success.

Who are you teaching? Who are your grooming?

MORE Ant Information Here

Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell

Leadership – Life Long Learning

Proverbs 6:6-11 (MSG) You lazy fool, look at an ant. Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two. Nobody has to tell it what to do. All summer it stores up food; at harvest it stockpiles provisions. So how long are you going to laze around doing nothing? How long before you get out of bed? A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there, sit back, take it easy--do you know what comes next? Just this: You can look forward to a dirt-poor life, poverty your permanent houseguest!



Diligence in living your life or in your work (and especially if you are running a business) is vital to healthy companies and a healthy personal growth.

Leaders must have the capacity to observe all that life offers, to learn and then apply that knowledge wisely in the work place. This is a process of life-long learning - antithesis of laziness.

Much may be learned from the study of ant behavior. (Link here for more.) For example, ants may be the only group of animals besides us in which interactive teaching behavior has been observed during their life. That learning seems also to be future-focused, teaching younger ants what they need to know to be effective producers.

Like the ant, leaders should be mentoring. Sharing the “tricks of the trade.” Allowing the “mentee” to discover some “wrong ways” to do something so that a better way may be learned. Answering questions with questions or telling a story and letting the employee work at discovery. Learning. Leaders are then building a succession plan that has a potential of success.

Who are you teaching? Who are your grooming?



Copyright ©2009 by P. Griffith Lindell