Another interesting insight into the behaviour of our nearest primate relatives has got experts debating whether they really are part of the same species as us.  The behaviour of one the female gorillas, Zaire, has got experts talking.  It appears she may have been able to train / encourage another species (small squirrel monkeys) to bring her food titbits.  

One of our very human traits is classifying things and people.  We are very keen on our labels.   Labelling gorillas as animals allows us to imprison and ill-treat them.  That is bad enough but we label other people too.  “He’s trouble!”  “She’s stupid”  “They are a waste of time..”    This not only cuts us of from seeing and releasing their potential but also prevents any real communication as we seldom listen to the contribution of those we have labelled in this way.

If you are trying to get the best our of your people, whether at work or at home.. don’t label them, just observe, attend and note what they do, you’ll be surprised by the results!

“We are all just monkeys in business suits running around pretending to be executives”

“I’ve actually gone to the zoo and had monkeys shout to me from their cages, “I’m in here when you’re walking around like that?””    Robin Williams

Resources:

• BBC Story about Zaire
• London Zoo gorillas