What can a man who tracks lions on foot teach us about leadership? More than most management books, as it turns out.
For more than four decades, Renias Mhlongo has tracked some of Africa's most elusive and dangerous animals on foot.
His ability to read the smallest signs in the natural world has earned him recognition as one of the finest wildlife trackers of his generation. But what makes Renias truly remarkable is not only his skill. It is the combination of character, judgement, humility and wisdom that sits behind it.
Over the years, I have spent many days in the bush with Renias, watching him work. What struck me was how much leaders can learn from expert trackers.
These are seven lessons that have stayed with me.
1. Know What You Are Good At
Renias knows exactly where his strengths lie. One of his greatest gifts is anticipating where an animal is likely to move next. This allows him to focus his energy in the right place and avoid unnecessary effort.
But just as importantly, he knows what he is not good at. He is comfortable relying on others whose strengths complement his own.
Great leaders are the same. They understand where they create the most value, and they have the humility to let others do what they do best.
2. Love The Work
Renias loves what he does. His enthusiasm is infectious. What I have noticed, however, is that he loves the process of tracking as much as the outcome.
This matters.
When conditions become difficult, when progress is slow, or when success remains uncertain, it is a love for the work itself that keeps people going.
The best leaders are not sustained by results alone. They find meaning and satisfaction in the journey.
3. Balance Detail With Imagination
A tracker must pay attention to the smallest details. A bent blade of grass. A partially obscured footprint. A broken twig.
Yet tracking is not simply about observation. It also requires imagination. Renias has the remarkable ability to move effortlessly between the detail and the bigger picture. He studies the evidence in front of him while simultaneously imagining what may have happened and what might happen next.
Great leadership requires the same balance. The detail matters. The bigger picture matters too.
The challenge is knowing when to zoom in and when to zoom out.
4. Never Stop Learning
Despite his vast experience, Renias never behaves as though he has arrived. He remains intensely curious.
Every track tells a story. Every mistake offers a lesson. Every day in the bush presents an opportunity to learn something new. When a track is lost, he does not become frustrated. He becomes curious.
What happened? Where did the animal go? What did we miss?
The best leaders approach their work in much the same way. They remain students. They ask questions. They seek understanding.
Their growth never stops.
5. Stay Calm Under Pressure
Tracking large animals on foot occasionally creates moments of genuine danger. Yet I have never seen Renias panic.
When others become anxious, he becomes calm. When the situation becomes uncertain, he focuses on what matters most. His calmness spreads to those around him.
Leadership works in exactly the same way. In difficult times, people often borrow confidence from their leader. The leader's emotional state quickly becomes the team's emotional state.
Calmness, therefore, is not simply a personal strength. It is a leadership responsibility.
6. Teach Others
Renias is deeply committed to developing the next generation of trackers. He teaches patiently. He creates opportunities for others to learn. He willingly shares what he knows.
Most importantly, he gives younger trackers the confidence to trust themselves.
The true measure of leadership is not what you achieve personally. It is what continues because of your influence.
Great leaders understand that their most important legacy is the people they develop.
7. Stay Humble
For all his accomplishments, Renias remains remarkably humble. He does not track to impress others. He tracks because he loves the craft.
His humility allows him to keep learning. It enables him to listen. It keeps his ego from getting in the way. It also shapes the deep respect he has for the animals he follows.
As Renias often says, a tracker must learn to "put the animal in his heart."
There is wisdom in that idea.
The best leaders never lose sight of the people they serve.
Tracking Your Own Path to Leadership Mastery
Watching Renias work reminded me that mastery is not something you achieve.
It is something you pursue.
The best trackers never believe they have arrived. They remain curious. They keep learning. They continue refining their craft.
Leadership is no different.
As you reflect on your own journey, consider the following questions:
- Do you know what you are good at, and do you consistently play to your strengths?
- Do you genuinely love the work you do?
- Can you move comfortably between the detail and the bigger picture?
- Are you still curious and learning, or have you started believing you have arrived?
- How do you respond when uncertainty and pressure show up?
- Are you actively developing the next generation of leaders around you?
- Do people leave interactions with you feeling more capable and confident?
- Do others feel safe in your presence?
- Are you more focused on your own success or the success of those around you?
- Do you have your own personal ego in check?