The Zoo at Work

A 30-Day Safari into Our Workplace Instincts

Welcome to The Zoo at Work — where metaphors roam free and familiar behaviours take on unexpected shapes. Over 30 days, you’ll meet pairs of animal archetypes drawn not from nature documentaries, but from real teams, awkward meetings, and yes — the person in the mirror.

Each duo highlights a contrast: loud vs. quiet, cautious vs. quick, visible vs. overlooked. But this isn’t about boxing people in. We all shift, adapt, and occasionally surprise ourselves. Most of us are a little Macaw and a little Bat, depending on the day.

This series isn’t a test. It’s an invitation to observe with humour, reflect with honesty, and maybe shift how we show up.

So take a breath. Scroll slowly. And let the safari begin.

Note: I created all visuals on this page using Canva.com, an online graphic design tool, with the support of AI.

Adama Coulibaly: Spreading Positivity with PositiveMinds Adama Coulibaly: Spreading Positivity with PositiveMinds

Day 15: The Radiant Display vs. The Hidden Reality

Some lead with clarity upward and confusion downward — gaining applause at the top while casting uncertainty beneath.

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Adama Coulibaly: Spreading Positivity with PositiveMinds Adama Coulibaly: Spreading Positivity with PositiveMinds

Day 16: The Swinging Monkey vs. The Focused Antelope

Some swing endlessly between tasks without landing, while others advance quietly with focus — showing us that not all motion leads to momentum.

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Adama Coulibaly: Spreading Positivity with PositiveMinds Adama Coulibaly: Spreading Positivity with PositiveMinds

Day 17: The Repeating Parrot vs. The Reflective Owl

Some echo what’s been said, others pause to say what truly matters — revealing the quiet power of reflection in a world addicted to noise.

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Adama Coulibaly: Spreading Positivity with PositiveMinds Adama Coulibaly: Spreading Positivity with PositiveMinds

Day 18: The Meticulous Shrew vs. The Far-Sighted Eagle

Some scan every detail to make sure nothing breaks, others chart the horizon to keep everyone moving — but real progress comes from knowing when to switch views.

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Adama Coulibaly: Spreading Positivity with PositiveMinds Adama Coulibaly: Spreading Positivity with PositiveMinds

Day 19: The Task-Driven Ant vs. The Strategic Queen

Some move forward because there’s a task in front of them, others hold back until the purpose is clear — but lasting impact comes from balancing both.

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Adama Coulibaly: Spreading Positivity with PositiveMinds Adama Coulibaly: Spreading Positivity with PositiveMinds

Day 20: The Obedient Dog vs. The Independent Cat

Some treat rules as non-negotiable instructions, others see them as starting points — and the difference lies in how we balance reliability with relevance.

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Adama Coulibaly: Spreading Positivity with PositiveMinds Adama Coulibaly: Spreading Positivity with PositiveMinds

Day 22: The Dominant Tiger vs. The Adaptive Chameleon

Some assert themselves to survive, others adapt to stay safe — and both reveal the subtle strategies we use to navigate power and presence in the workplace.

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Adama Coulibaly: Spreading Positivity with PositiveMinds Adama Coulibaly: Spreading Positivity with PositiveMinds

Day 23: The Shadow Fox vs. The Standing Badger

Some spread tension through quiet whispers, others confront it out loud — both revealing how we manage discomfort and the risks of avoiding or overexposing conflict.

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Adama Coulibaly: Spreading Positivity with PositiveMinds Adama Coulibaly: Spreading Positivity with PositiveMinds

Day 24: The Zigzagging Dragonfly vs. The Grounded Toad

Some generate energy with every jump but rarely land, others move slowly but deliver with clarity — and both reveal how we manage chaos, order, and momentum at work.

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Adama Coulibaly: Spreading Positivity with PositiveMinds Adama Coulibaly: Spreading Positivity with PositiveMinds

Day 25: The Hesitant Snail vs. The Precise Hummingbird

Some wait so long they miss the moment; others strike so fast they forget to breathe — both revealing how our timing shapes our impact at work.

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Adama Coulibaly: Spreading Positivity with PositiveMinds Adama Coulibaly: Spreading Positivity with PositiveMinds

Day 26 : The Silent Bystanders vs. The Solidarity Defenders

Some watch from the sidelines as injustice unfolds, others step into discomfort to protect what's right — and both choices shape the soul of the workplace.

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Adama Coulibaly: Spreading Positivity with PositiveMinds Adama Coulibaly: Spreading Positivity with PositiveMinds

Day 27: The Tireless Lionesses vs. The Majestic Lion

Some do the work while others wear the crown — exposing how power, tradition, and performance distort who gets recognised in the workplace.

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Adama Coulibaly: Spreading Positivity with PositiveMinds Adama Coulibaly: Spreading Positivity with PositiveMinds

Day 28: The Protective Bear vs. The Detached Turtle

Some leaders protect to the point of control, others empower to the point of detachment — both revealing how care, trust, and timing shape growth.

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Adama Coulibaly: Spreading Positivity with PositiveMinds Adama Coulibaly: Spreading Positivity with PositiveMinds

Day 29: The Chattering Macaw vs. The Attentive Bat

Some talk to fill every silence, others listen to catch what no one else hears — both revealing how we show up in conversations, and what we might be missing.

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