Learning To Be a Zookeeper with Nigel Risner

Delivering thousands of speeches worldwide, motivational speaker Nigel Risner is distinguished for his invigorating presentations.

His talks inspire individuals to break free of their self-barriers to succeed in their work and personal lives. Nigel has over 20 years of experience, from coaching Fortune 500 companies to local charities. In 2001 and 2009, he won the Speaker of the Year Award from the Academy of Chief Executives. 

Aside from being an accomplished motivational speaker, Nigel is also a published author, podcaster, and former CEO of a brokerage company. However, he is better known for his title as the Chief Zookeeper. Nigel developed the ‘It’s a Zoo’ theory in his book, “It’s a Zoo Around Here”: The New Rules for Better Communication, a framework used to identify different personality traits within organisations and, consequently, how to communicate with one another effectively.

Nigel categorises people into four dominant communication styles, each symbolised by a different animal:

• Monkey
• Lion
• Dolphin
• Elephant
  
  

This categorisation intends not to pigeonhole people with a “label” but rather to gain a comprehensive understanding of them.

Communication Style of Different Zoo Animals

Monkeys

Monkeys are characterised by their creativity and enthusiasm. They thrive on public recognition and readily embrace new challenges, though they quickly lose interest if something fails to keep their attention.

Lions

Lions, on the other hand, are straightforward and purposeful. They enjoy taking the lead and completing tasks effectively and punctually. Independent by nature, lions work best when given autonomy and are driven by competition. 

Dolphins

Dolphins are caring and relaxed. They value the importance of nurturing connections within relationships and prioritising emotional well-being. Dolphins often assume the caretaker role due to their supportive and empathetic nature.

Elephants

Elephants are analytical and precise. Relying heavily on research and data, they specialise in being detail-oriented and preferring structured environments. Elephants are meticulous and thorough with their work. 

Insights from the Conference

We recently invited Nigel to speak at our Spring Conference, where he shared invaluable insights on developing effective communication and building a unified team. The Component Sense team gained a deeper understanding of ourselves and our colleagues throughout the event.

Nigel’s presentation delved into four distinct personality types represented by the animals previously mentioned. Understanding these personality types taught us valuable knowledge of effective leadership and conflict management practices tailored to individual preferences. 

For instance, in conflict, lions value directness, while dolphins respond to warmth and gentleness, illustrating the power of tailored communication. Monkeys relish compliments, and the more public it is, the better. Elephants, however, prefer private praise directed towards their attention to detail. By recognising individual communication styles and needs, we can effectively adapt our style to respond best to various people and situations.

Additionally, Nigel’s talk reinforced our EPIC company values in several ways:

Enterprising

Nigel's insights into communication encourage embracing novel ideas and strategies vital for organisational growth.  Every person in an organisation operates differently, thus, we must further our commitment to innovation and growth. 

Positivity

Upholding a positive work environment boosts morale and productivity, aligning with Component Sense's commitment to fostering a supportive workspace. Nigel emphasises that fostering supportive relationships with one another will enhance employees' overall engagement and satisfaction. 

Integrity

Upholding integrity is a non-negotiable for us. Not only did Nigel discuss the importance of honesty in communication, but he demonstrated it. During his speech, he was transparent about personal matters that might affect his performance as the speaker. This allowed our team to create a trusting and respectful relationship with each other. 

Clarity

Clear communication is imperative in all aspects of our business, especially to avoid misunderstandings. Nigel’s expertise in different communication styles provides clarity in navigating interpersonal dynamics within our organisation. Ultimately, his insights help promote a more aligned environment towards achieving a shared goal.

Nigel’s teachings have been integral in transforming our company culture into a more cohesive and collaborative work environment. The conference with Nigel left a lasting impression on Component Sense, providing employees with crucial personal and professional development tools.

We all at Component Sense extend our gratitude to Nigel for sharing his knowledge with us, and we look forward to future collaborations with industry experts like him. This commitment to continuous growth and improvement underpins everything we do at Component Sense.

Interested in joining our team?