Engaging Individuals Through the Zoo — Field Reference

ASSESS — Know the outcome you're driving toward before you walk in. Lions read unpreparedness as disrespect.

APPROACH — One sharp question. "What's the result you need from this?" Not three exploratory ones.

LISTEN — For the doubt they're not naming. Lions hide uncertainty behind decisiveness.

ENGAGE — Outcome first, path second. "Here's what I need. Here's why. What's the friction?"

AFFIRM — Specific, decision-level recognition. "You made the call on X — that was the right one and it cost you something."

TRACK — Concrete deadline. Lions respect a calendar more than a check-in.

ASSESS — Bring the data. They've already seen the surface.

APPROACH — Ask, don't conclude. "What's your read on why this section is running long?"

LISTEN — For unspoken frustration. Elephants don't escalate — they withdraw and let quality slip.

ENGAGE — Evidence-based, written if possible. Earn the right to a conclusion.

AFFIRM — Name the rigor — publicly is fine, but specifically is essential.

TRACK — A defined standard. "What does 'ready' look like for this?"

ASSESS — What's lit them up recently. That's the entry point.

APPROACH — With energy, not structure. "Where's your head on this — what's exciting you?"

LISTEN — For overwhelm under the enthusiasm. Lemurs hide overload behind sparkle.

ENGAGE — Socially first, work second. Cold efficiency reads as rejection.

AFFIRM — In the room, in front of the people who benefited. Named, specific, social.

TRACK — Help them choose one thing and define what done looks like.

ASSESS — The relational temperature, not just the project status.

APPROACH — Open question, real space to answer. No pressure to be okay.

LISTEN — For what's not said. Silence is almost never agreement.

ENGAGE — After the relationship feels intact. Not before.

AFFIRM — Name the steady, often-invisible work they do.

TRACK — Gently, privately, with a relational check-in attached.