Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
their evil overtones other than venomous bites.
As a child, we would hear the sangomas beating their drums at night down by the Lomati
River. After having been paid with a goat by parents, they would call upon the ancestral spirits
and crocodiles to bring back African “abelusi” (herd boys) who had been snatched by the man-
eating crocodiles while watering cattle in the river. In South Africa, “traditional healers” are
now covered by health insurance.
These prophetic visionaries who became somewhat leaders of the group had several
characteristics that probably helped them, namely the vision to foresee future challenges. They
were also known for the integrity of their predictions being true, dancing with great energy,
making the decision in which direction to take the hunt, conviction, the ability and trust to
influence others in the clan in which direction the hunt should go or what should be done, and
the endurance to see the hunt through. If this sounds familiar, that is because if one looks at
Jack Welch's topics on leadership the essence of his ideas were found in the prophetic
visionary Bushmen. One of the best articles on leadership was an article in January 2004 by
Jack Welch in the Wall Street Journal Opinion page on his analysis of how he would choose
between Senator Kerry and Governor George W Bush for president of the USA. He said every
leader had to have impeccable integrity, emotional intelligence, and vision. But as far as
choosing a leader what differentiated them was: energy, ability to energize others, edge to
make tough decisions, and execute the decision. In a subsequent topic he also described how
he chose his marketing team, which was also very insightful but would apply to agrarian and
industrial societies, not hunter-gatherers. Nevertheless, if one looks at the 4 E's, these would
be commendable attributes of a good hunter in a hunter-gatherer society: energy, energize,
edge, and execution. Thus, I do not find it surprising that many visitors, particularly those used
to looking for animals in the Kruger Park, will happily get up between 4:30 and 5:30 in the
morning to be the first at the camp exit gates. When Grant and I crisscrossed the Kruger Park
from top to bottom, traveling every road we could find, we would be first at the opening gate
and last to return to camp often after the gates had closed. The early rises were so that one can
get out early to see the last of the night's activities in the wilds, including carnivores still out
hunting for a meal, or seeing those that have been successful at a “kill.” This is surely part of
the hunting instinct, even though it may be for capturing the shot on camera or action on video.
When the Cleveland Clinic was looking for a new CEO I was invited to join a potential
candidate and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at a Cavaliers game at a box on the
sideline. A friend and I showed up for the game in good time but did not know how to get to
the courtside box. We climbed onto an elevator going to the basement and the Cavs
cheerleaders were on the elevator. I had seen them a few months before working out at my gym
because they had been accused of not being thin enough. To show this was not the case, one
morning at 6:15am the local TV station was going to film them going through their routine. I
called up my wife and told her turn on the TV and see me at the gym, and there I was in the
background waving. So when we ran into the cheerleaders on the elevators they said we
should follow them. We dutifully did, not watching signs, and next we were in their change
rooms! In no time, the security was there and escorting us to the box. Shaq O'Neal was looking
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