The Leadership Lessons Hidden in the Art of Tracking
“Something crossed here from the left, very recently.”
Tsundzukani Wathi - Londolozi’s first female tracker!
My wife, Rachel, and I are on foot, following Tsundzukani, our tracker, in Londolozi Game Reserve in South Africa. After several days of sitting in the back of a 4x4, we are finally experiencing a walking safari. Barely ten minutes into the walk, we come across a very fresh and pronounced drag mark across our trail.
A drag mark suggests something has killed something else—and no more than 15 minutes before we passed through.
“Be still, no talking. Let us go and look and see which way this track takes us,” says Tsundzukani.
Fully prepared to spend the next hour tracking, we line up in single file behind Tsundzukani and Jerry, our guide, as they begin to follow the trail.
Within a hundred yards, we arrive at a dry riverbed, and the trail leads us across the sand. With all of us focused on the ground, the sudden sound of movement in the dead leaves ahead startles us. We look up, and there she is—a female leopard, standing at the base of a tree just 30 feet across the riverbed.
As we watch her disappear into the bushes, we notice the impala carcass hoisted into the tree above her—the source of the drag marks. The leopard had carried her kill here from the hunt, mere moments before our arrival.
Amidst the excitement, I am struck by the deep sense of reverence for the encounter: walking on foot in the African bush, witnessing the extraordinary skills of Tsundzukani and Jerry as they followed the fresh trail, and sharing the space with such a magnificent animal.
Walking back to the lodge, I realize how much this experience reflects the way we navigate our daily lives, particularly in the business world. The precision, adaptability, and intuition required to follow a trail in the bush mirrors the challenges leaders face every day: finding opportunities, adapting to change, and building meaningful connections.
What is Tracking?
Tracking is the process of interpreting subtle signs in the environment to follow a trail. It is both a science and an art:
Science: The ability to observe measurable signs—footprints, broken twigs, disturbed ground—and interpret them with precision.
Art: The creativity and intuition to anticipate movement, piece together a narrative, and stay ahead of the unknown.
At its core, tracking is about more than simply following a trail. It’s about finding clarity in chaos, staying focused on a goal, and remaining adaptable when things don’t go as planned. These are not just survival skills—they are life skills. And they are as applicable to leadership and business as they are to the wilderness.
The Metaphor: Tracking in Business
The challenges faced by trackers in the bush closely mirror those faced by leaders in business. Whether you're managing a team, developing a strategy, or strengthening client relationships, the principles of tracking provide a fresh and powerful lens for navigating complexity.
Copyright: Tracking Success
1. Finding the Track: Focus and Opportunity
Trackers begin by locating the first sign—the “track.” This requires them to position themselves in places of greatest opportunity, interpreting their environment to find the best starting point.
In business, this is the process of identifying priorities and opportunities. Leaders must sift through noise to focus their teams on the paths that lead to success. The ability to see where to begin and direct efforts accordingly is the foundation of great leadership.
2. Following the Trail: Observation and Decision-Making
Once the track is found, trackers rely on acute observation to follow it. They must constantly interpret signs, make decisions about where to go next, and stay focused on the goal.
For leaders, this mirrors the need to observe changing environments—both internally within teams and externally in the marketplace. Decision-making often requires acting with incomplete information, relying on both logic and intuition to stay on course.
3. Losing the Trail: Resilience and Adaptability
Every tracker loses the trail at some point. Changing terrain, weather, or an animal’s behavior can obscure the signs. The best trackers view these moments as opportunities for growth, re-evaluating their approach and trying new methods to regain the trail.
In business, setbacks are inevitable. Leaders who succeed are those who show resilience, learning from missteps and adapting to new conditions. Losing the trail isn’t failure—it’s part of the process.
4. Closing the Gap: Taking Bold Action
As trackers close in on their target, they accelerate their efforts, moving decisively while remaining alert to new signs and changes in the environment.
Similarly, businesses often face moments where speed and boldness are required to seize opportunities. Whether launching a new product, closing a deal, or resolving a crisis, leaders must balance urgency with clarity.
5. The Encounter: Building Relationships and Trust
The final phase of tracking is the encounter—reaching the animal. For trackers, this moment is about respect, safety, and understanding.
In business, this phase represents building relationships—whether with clients, partners, or teams. Success isn’t just about reaching a goal; it’s about nurturing trust and sustaining the outcomes achieved.
How Tracking Principles Apply Across Business Contexts
The metaphor of tracking applies to multiple business challenges, both internally (within teams and strategies) and externally (with clients and partners).
Internal Applications:
Team Alignment: Like trackers moving in sync, teams must align behind shared goals, communicate effectively, and trust one another to stay on course.
Resilience and Problem-Solving: Teams that embrace adaptability and creativity when “losing the trail” can recover quickly and maintain momentum.
Leadership Development: Tracking requires vigilance and decisiveness—qualities every leader must develop to navigate complexity.
External Applications:
Client Engagement: Trackers observe and respond to subtle cues, much like businesses must interpret client needs and adapt their strategies.
Building Trust: The encounter phase teaches the importance of respecting relationships, ensuring that partnerships are nurtured for long-term success.
Risk Management: Tracking’s balance of logic and intuition mirrors the approach businesses must take to anticipate and mitigate risks in uncertain environments.
Why Tracking Resonates Today
In an age of rapid change and uncertainty, tracking offers a timeless approach to navigating complexity. It teaches us to:
Slow down and see the signs.
Trust both data and intuition.
Work collaboratively while maintaining focus.
View setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow.
These lessons are as relevant in the bush as they are in the boardroom, making tracking a powerful metaphor for leadership, teamwork, and strategy.
Conclusion
Tracking isn’t just about following a trail—it’s a way of thinking and leading that has profound implications for modern business. By adopting the principles of observation, adaptability, and boldness, leaders and teams can navigate complexity with clarity and purpose.
What track are you and your organization following? Are you aligned in your approach?
Discover how the principles of tracking can transform your approach to leadership and strategy. Learn more about immersive programs that bring these lessons to life on our Tracking Success page.