Who Are the Lionesses in Your Business?

During a recent visit to a client’s private game lodge in the heart of Africa, I met a beautiful lioness named Savannah. As she lay in the camp among her males and cubs, her majestic gaze commanded the landscape. Her presence filled the air, not because she was the biggest, strongest, or loudest, but because her quiet authority radiated from every pore. Her purpose as the mother of the tribe hovered over her like a crown.

Savannah reminded me of many spa therapists I encounter in South African spas. You know the ones, not the loudest in the room, but the ones whose calm strength speaks volumes. The true lionesses. The women who move with intention lead with empathy and carry an unshakable sense of purpose.

So, what can we learn from the lioness?

Lionesses are the heartbeat of the pride. Known for their agility and hunting prowess, they play a crucial role in the survival of the group, acting as both primary hunters and fierce protectors of their young.

Here’s what we can expect from a lioness in the wild and in the workplace:

• Speed & Agility: Without a mane to weigh them down, lionesses move faster and stealthier, a trait that makes them exceptional hunters and adaptable leaders.
• Protectiveness: They fiercely defend their cubs and teach them essential survival skills, embodying the role of nurturer and warrior all at once.
• Pride Survival: Lionesses are the backbone of pride life, collaborating to raise cubs, groom one another, and protect their territory.
• Cooperation: Unlike the competitive nature often seen in leadership, lionesses work together, sharing responsibilities and celebrating each other’s victories.
• Selflessness: While males often eat first, lionesses prioritise the pride. They sacrifice and serve without hesitation.
• Leadership: Lionesses lead hunts, defend their pride’s territory, and lend their voice to the voiceless. They lead from the front, not for recognition, but from instinct and commitment.

Final thought

Lionesses symbolise strength, leadership, and nurturing. They embody both grace and patience. Too often mistaken for being soft or weak, they are, in truth, among the most agile and powerful beings in the animal kingdom. And they hunt in packs.

They are pillars of quiet strength, a strength rooted in gentleness, wisdom, and unwavering purpose.

So, to all the lionesses in business, rise up. Take hold of your purpose. Lead with compassion. Rule with grace.

Have a lovely Easter month,

Jacoline