If you type the term ”sea otter” into Pinterest, or any search engine, you will be presented with hundreds of snapshots of these marine mammals doing adorable things. You’ll find images of sea otters smiling while playing peek-a-boo with their friends, holding hands, and maybe even waving ‘hello’ to a nearby camera. Sea otters are amazing aquatic animals because of their curiosity, playfulness, and affectionate demeanor. But there is so much more to sea otters than what meets the eye.
Sea otters are one of the smartest animals on the planet. And believe it or not, sea otters are unlikely mentors for those of us in school leadership. Here are three lessons we can learn from these water-dwelling friends.
#1 Sea Otters are Resourceful In Surprising Ways
Sea otters dive to the seafloor to forage. The habits of sea otters are noteworthy. Not only do they make use of accessible materials, they make the most of them. Consider this: when we (humans) notice loose skin under our forearms, social norms tell us that this is a “flaw,” or something that needs improving. While we might view loose skin as a physical imperfection, to a sea otter, loose skin is a gift. For sea otters, the loose skin under their forearms serves as a pouch or pocket to carry as much food as possible to the water’s surface. Sea otters use this feature to their advantage.
Lesson Learned: Look at Flaws as a Possible Resource.
At first glance, a sea otter’s loose skin might seem like a flaw. Oh, but no. Just as sea otters find ways to take full advantage of all of their features, school leaders can do the same. Next time you set out to tackle a new project and find yourself picking apart your shortcomings, think like a sea otter. Let your “flaws” guide you. Instead of immediately asking, “What issues might arise?” Ponder these questions until you get some clarity:
- What are the desired outcomes aligned to goals?
- What is a realistic timeline in order to plan for these desired outcomes?
- What are some hurdles I might face?
- How can I address these hurdles?
#2 Sea Otters Look for “Just Right” Tools
Sea Otters collect rocks and use them as tools to access hard-to-reach prey. That’s right. They spend the early morning hours foraging, searching for the just right rocks that will allow them to pry open shellfish. No two rocks are the same and one rock that’s good for one sea otter isn’t necessarily good for another. Basically, sea otters understand that tools can help them to get their jobs done, and that tools need to fit the task, as well as the creature.
Lesson Learned: Choose Tools Wisely.
Tools are everywhere and in all forms–physical, digital, and beyond. And you’ve seen them–from Post-It Notes®, to charts, jamboards, and fancy slide decks…the list goes on. The important thing is to choose tools that you know will work best for you, as well as your school community. Ask, “What do I want to accomplish and what vehicle will help me to do that?” Reach out to respected colleagues and ask them for their insight. And don’t worry if your tool isn’t as fancy as someone else’s! What matters is that it makes it possible to get the job done.
#3 Sea Otters Hold Hands
Besides their incredible ability to assemble a collection of impressive tools, sea otters are also known for keeping their loved ones close. Sea otters hold hands (paws) while resting. You’ve seen the pictures…sea otters huddled together, drifting on their backs, hand-in-hand. (If not, google it up right this minute.) Adorable, huh? And yet again, it’s more than that. They hold hands with other sea otters as a way to prevent drifting away from the group. Holding hands is how sea otters keep each other safe.
Lesson Learned: Going at Something Together is Better than Going at it Alone.
Like sea otters, there is always something big and important up ahead to tackle. You might be worrying about making the master schedule for the year ahead, writing curriculum to align to higher standards, or creating a professional development plan. Rather than letting the current take you alone, look for the helping paws (hands) that are ready to pull you back in. Remember that you have your own community to lean on and that you are likely to be more successful when you collaborate with other stakeholders. Consider this:
- What is this project all about?
- What long term and short term goals might I establish?
- Who can help me to see my blindspots?
- What kind of thought partner do I need?
How might a sea otter mentor you this week? Comment below.
Brooke, I love the guiding and reflective questions in this post. They help break complicated or overwhelming tasks down into more manageable steps.