Leadership lessons from the African Bullfrog

The African Bullfrog is the biggest frog in Africa and very aggressive. Maybe you have a Pyxicephalus Adspersus around the office?

Maybe you are the alpha frog at your company! Either way, today we look to this African amphibian for some lessons in leadership.

In spite of being the biggest and baddest frog on the continent, it's also a devoted father. This video shows it digging a channel to a new water source to avoid its tadpoles dying.

I have two daughters who are growing up way too fast. I love taking them to school and being home in time for dinner. I enjoy playing games with them, watching movies with them and going for a walk in the park together.

In many ways these behaviors, habits and values go against the modern super-driven, 12-hour-days, high performance corporate culture. But taking care of it’s tadpoles doesn’t magically shrink the African Bullfrog and it doesn’t make it a less capable predator.

When I walk into the office I’m switched on and ready to go. I’m not a less capable leader for being a loving husband or a doting dad. In fact, not even coffee energizes and refreshes me like my relationship with my family.

Here’s to all the African Bullfrogs out there proving that high performance and family values are not mutually exclusive.