Proverbs & Sayings
Code PRV
The past holds the keys to the future.
Across the African continent, proverbs are more than words — they are vessels of memory, mirrors of experience, and tools for guidance. Passed down through generations, these sayings distil complex truths into simple forms, offering wisdom rooted in observation, lived experience, and communal values.
In every proverb lies a philosophy — about resilience in the face of adversity, about leadership grounded in humility, about the invisible threads that bind us together as human beings. These ancestral insights do not belong to the past alone; they are maps for navigating the present and shaping the future.
At a time when the world rushes forward, African proverbs invite us to slow down, listen, and reflect. They remind us that progress does not mean forgetting—it means remembering better.
To understand where we’re going, we must learn to honour where we’ve come from. Because the path forward often begins with an echo from behind.
🛡 Power and Integrity
Code: PAI
Explores the nature of influence, vulnerability, and ethical foundations in leadership and life. These proverbs challenge us to examine how power is exercised, tested, and maintained through truth, responsibility, and inner strength.
PRV–PAI001
Power protects. Fall exposes.
“When the baobab falls, the goats feast on its leaves.”
— Bambara proverb (Mali)
When you stand tall and strong, few dare to come close. Your presence commands respect. Your height casts shade. Your strength keeps opportunists at bay.
But in the moment of collapse — from exhaustion, failure, or fate — it’s often those same distant hands that rush in. Not to lift you, but to take what they can while it lasts.
This proverb isn’t just about a tree. It reminds us that vulnerability exposes power dynamics, reveals intentions, and tests the foundations we thought were solid.
This is not a call to fear. It’s an invitation to use our seasons of strength wisely — not to dominate, but to sow trust, deepen our roots, and nourish those around us. Because when the day of falling comes, what we’ve planted in strength may be what protects us in weakness.
#Leadership #PowerAndVulnerability #Wisdom #Trust #Reflection #BaobabLesson #AfricanProverb
PRV–PAI002
Urgency Must Not Override Integrity
There’s a Bambara proverb from Mali that says:
“The dance that begins with lifting your tail will end with a ripped tail.”
It’s a vivid warning about how small, early compromises—especially those made under pressure—can lead to painful and far-reaching consequences.
This speaks to a reality we know too well in the humanitarian and development sectors: When institutions yield to political interference, what starts as a minor concession may eventually undermine their autonomy and integrity.
Adjusting a narrative, accepting conditional support, or aligning too closely with political interests might seem harmless at first. But these early moves often create expectations, dependencies, and precedents that become difficult to reverse. In the end, it is not just principles that are compromised. It is trust, legitimacy, and the capacity to stand firm when it matters most.
So the question remains: How do we protect our foundations while navigating storms? Where do we draw the line—before the crack becomes a collapse?
#Leadership #InstitutionalIntegrity #Governance #DecolonisingAid #EthicalLeadership #TheCostOfCompromise #ProverbesAfricains #VisualWisdom #PositiveMinds
PRV–PAI003
The Stained Nose.
“All dogs eat shit. It's the one who leaves the rest on his nose that gets accused of being a shit eater.”
— Bambara Proverb (Mali)
Harsh? Maybe. But deeply true.
In many teams and organisations, guilt is collective, yet blame is selective. Everyone may contribute to a mistake or problem, but it’s often the one who couldn’t hide it well enough who gets called out.
The issue isn’t who did what. It’s who was seen. And the visible one becomes the scapegoat.
This proverb challenges us to pause. Just because someone carries the stain doesn’t mean they’re the only one involved. A clean face can hide dirty hands, and a silent bystander can be as guilty as the one on display.
Leadership demands a deeper look, not at who wears the mess but at how it got there and who helped make it.
#VisualWisdom #Leadership #TeamDynamics #Accountability #BlameCulture #PsychologicalSafety #SelectiveBlame #BiasAtWork #BambaraProverbs #DecolonisingLeadership
PRV–PAI004
Facing the Flame: The Quiet Power of Truth.
“Truth reddens the eye but does not pierce it.”
This Bambara proverb from Mali speaks to the discomfort and necessity of truth. It may sting when first encountered, triggering resistance, denial, or shame. But unlike violence, it doesn’t destroy. It clarifies. It wakes us up.
Truth often appears as a flame, not a wildfire that consumes, but a steady glow that demands presence. To sit with it is to let go of illusions. It might redden the eye with tears, embarrassment, or pain, but it does not blind us. In fact, it invites us to see more clearly, to grow past fear, and to step into alignment.
Whether in leadership, relationships, or social justice, truth requires courage—not to attack but to face it, to let its warmth reshape what we believed was fixed. When we avoid it, we prolong the ache. When we face it, we begin to heal—even if the first step hurts.
Let us not mistake discomfort for harm. The flame of truth may wound our pride, but it holds the power to awaken our humanity.
#VisualWisdom #BambaraProverb #Truth #Leadership #Healing #Courage #DecolonisingWisdom #FacingTheFlame #TiléWisdom #WestAfricanPhilosophy
PRV–PAI005
Scars That Speak.
Some tools move on and rust. Others must carry the marks they leave behind.
“The axe forgets; the tree remembers.”
This African proverb speaks to the imbalance between action and consequence, between those who cause harm and those who endure it. The one who inflicts may forget, but the one who receives remembers.
In organisations, communities, and systems, attention often goes to the axe — its sharpness, its wielder, its intended purpose. Far less is given to the tree, the one left bearing the scar.
Yet scars of exclusion, injustice, or silence don’t simply fade. They shape how people grow, trust, and engage. And just like a young sapling growing beside an older, wounded tree, others watch and learn — not only from words, but from what remains unhealed.
What wounds forget, the wounded remember.
Time may dull the blade, but it does not erase the memory.
The challenge, then, is not just to act, but to remember. To lead and build in ways that restore, not just in ways that cut.
#VisualWisdom #Leadership #AfricanProverbs #DecolonisingDevelopment #ReflectiveLeadership #WisdomOfTheGlobalSouth
PRV–PAI006
Strength Belongs Where You Do
Not all strength is visible. And not all weakness is failure. Sometimes, it’s simply a matter of place.
“The strength of the crocodile lies in the river where it belongs.”
This African proverb holds a quiet but profound truth.
On land, the crocodile is exposed, slow, awkward, out of rhythm. In the river, it becomes effortless power: alert, graceful, commanding. Nothing about the creature has changed, except the context.
Many strive to prove their worth on unfamiliar ground, adapting to systems or cultures that don’t recognise their essence. But survival is not the same as thriving. Strength unfolds where identity and environment meet.
This applies across scales—to individuals, teams, and institutions. True power is not just internal. It is relational, contextual, and rooted.
True strength flows from belonging. What’s the river that reveals your power?
#VisualWisdom #AfricanProverbs #Leadership #ContextMatters #Tilé #DecolonialThinking
PRV–PAI007
Strength Scales Differently
We often fall into the trap of assuming that effort is universal — that what comes easily to one should come easily to all. But strength, like struggle, is shaped by scale, context, and capacity. What seems light in one world may be overwhelming in another. The danger lies not in the difference, but in the judgment that ignores it.
In our organisations, partnerships, and even personal lives, we misread difficulty when we assess it only through our own lens. A task that feels routine to one team may be a mountain to another. A load carried with ease by one person might quietly crush someone else. Too often, we praise the visible and question the hidden, forgetting that what looks easy is not always soft.
Pausing before we label others as weak or slow is wisdom. It’s a call to empathy, context, and a deeper understanding of the forces at play beneath the surface.
As the Bambara proverb reminds us:
“Just because a dog can easily chew a bone doesn’t mean it’s soft.”
#Leadership #Wisdom #Empathy #ContextMatters #DecolonialPerspective #TiléVoice #VisualWisdom
PRV–PAI008
The Blame That Misses the Mark
“In a caravan, it is the first camel who delays the rest; however, the last one gets all the beatings.”
— African Proverb
This proverb reveals a painful truth: blame is not always placed where it belongs. In systems—be it organisations, communities, or caravans—the powerful often escape scrutiny, while the powerless absorb the consequences. Those at the back carry the bruises of the front-runner’s failings.
Too often, accountability flows downward. The overloaded employee, the last-mile community, and the junior team member—they become the scapegoats for delays or dysfunctions that were caused far earlier in the chain. This isn't just unfair; it distorts learning, masks root causes, and perpetuates cycles of harm.
True leadership asks: Are we blaming those who stalled the progress, or those who were too weak to push back? It's a call to resist lazy narratives and challenge unjust hierarchies of accountability.
#VisualWisdom #AfricanProverbs #Leadership #Accountability #DecolonisingLeadership #OrganisationalCulture #SystemicInequality #PowerDynamics #TiléThoughts #PositiveMinds
PRV–PAI009
The Grumpy Goat at the Market
“The frowning of a goat does not prevent it from being priced in the market.”
— African Proverb
This proverb reminds us of an uncomfortable truth: personal discontent does not exempt us from the realities of life. Just because we don’t like a situation doesn’t mean we can avoid its consequences, especially in the workplace. Complaints, resistance, or visible dissatisfaction may express how we feel, but they don’t alter how the world moves around us.
In organisational life, we often encounter roles, tasks, or decisions that don’t please everyone. But the market — whether literal or metaphorical — doesn’t pause for emotional protests. What ultimately matters is not how we frown at change, evaluation, or pressure, but how we respond with action, adaptation, or intention.
Tilé’s latest visual metaphor brings this lesson to life with a humorous but sharp image: a goat, clearly unimpressed, still stands priced and ready for sale. His expression changes nothing — and that’s the point.
#VisualWisdom #LeadershipLessons #AfricanProverbs #WorkplaceInsights #EmotionalIntelligence #DecolonialLeadership #TiléTheThinker #MetaphorMatters #PositiveMinds
🌱 Wisdom and Inner Growth
Code: WIG
Focuses on personal evolution, humility, and self-awareness. These reflections highlight how growth is a continuous, inward journey marked by experience, learning, and emotional maturity.
PRV–WIG001
The Real Turning Point Isn’t Always Where You Fell
There’s a powerful Bambara proverb from Mali:
"Don't blame where you fell; blame where you stumbled."
We tend to focus on the fall, analysing its consequences, drawing lessons, and sometimes even letting it define us. But more often than not, that’s not where it all began.
The real turning point came earlier. A small detail. A moment of inattention. A tiny stone on the path. The misstep we didn’t notice — or chose to ignore.
The visible damage was just the result.
The overlooked stumble was the cause.
#Reflection #Leadership #SelfAwareness #LifeJourney #PositiveMinds #Wisdom #MistakesAndLessons #BambaraWisdom #VisualWisdom #PositiveMinds
PRV–WIG002
The Endless Staircase
‘Our ears go to school every day.’
— Bambara Proverb (Mali)
Growth has no finish line — just steps that keep revealing, shaping, and stretching us, one turn at a time.
In life, there’s no final level, no ultimate title, and no destination where we stop evolving. Each experience—joyful or painful, planned or unexpected—becomes a step on an endless staircase.
As we ascend, what we carry changes. Sometimes it’s a new insight. Sometimes it’s the courage to unlearn. Other times, it’s simply the lightness that comes from letting go.
The view shifts, too. What once seemed clear may now appear differently from a higher vantage point — not because the world has changed, but because we have.
Lifelong learning isn’t reserved for classrooms or certificates. It lives in listening, in trying again, in asking better questions. It lives in how we respond to discomfort, difference, and discovery.
So let’s keep climbing. Not because we must reach “the top,” but because every step helps us become more fully ourselves — more present, more thoughtful, more whole.
#Leadership #LifelongLearning #VisualMetaphor #GrowthMindset #TheEndlessStaircase #WisdomInProverbs #VisualWisdom #PositiveMinds
PRV–WIG003
From Gallop to Stillness: A Mandingue Lesson in Humility
“When you chase the world like a horse, you end up walking it like a chameleon.”
Some proverbs entertain, others advise, and then some awaken something deep in us. This is one of them.
We live in a world that glorifies speed—the fast track, the sprint, the hustle. But this proverb reminds us that speed is not the same as arrival, and acceleration is not the same as awareness.
When we rush after titles, recognition, wealth, or influence, we often lose sight of what truly matters. We move so fast we forget to feel the ground beneath our feet.
Until life slows us down. Sometimes by force. Sometimes by choice. And in that slowness, we begin to notice. We begin to learn again — to walk carefully, to listen deeply, to move with meaning.
Like the chameleon, we realise that every step has its weight, wisdom, and rhythm. And maybe that is where the real journey begins—not in the gallop but in the stillness.
This is not a rejection of ambition. It is an invitation to pace it with purpose. To pursue our goals without losing our grounding.
Because arriving fast means little if we don’t arrive whole.
#AfricanWisdom #LeadershipReflections #MandingueProverb #SlowLeadership #LifeLessons #ChameleonWisdom #AmbitionWithPurpose #Stillness #DecolonisingSuccess #InnerPace
PRV–WIG004
Innocence is fearless. Wisdom is cautious
There is a boldness that often passes for courage, but is really just inexperience in disguise. When we don't yet know the weight of consequences, we walk into situations with open eyes and open hearts. It feels brave. But sometimes, it’s simply that we haven't learned what to be afraid of.
With time, the same path feels different. A glance is enough to trigger the instinct to step away, to protect, to avoid. Not because we are less daring, but because we are more aware, the world has taught us. And what once seemed harmless now carries shadows we can see.
We live in a world that praises boldness, especially the loud kind. But there’s a quieter strength in restraint — in the wisdom to avoid the lion rather than try to charm it. That, too, is a kind of leadership.
As the Bambara proverb reminds us:
“The calf doesn’t know the lion, but its mother does.”
#Wisdom #Leadership #AfricanProverbs #VisualWisdom #InnocenceVsExperience #GrowthMindset #BambaraWisdom #DecolonisingLeadership
PRV–WIG005
When You Don’t Want to Admit They’re Good
We’ve all done it. Downplayed someone’s skills. Brushed off their achievements. Told ourselves, “It wasn’t that impressive,” even when we knew it was.
Sometimes it’s pride. Sometimes it’s tension, competition, or just not liking the person. But here’s the thing — recognising someone’s strengths doesn’t mean you agree with everything they do. It just means you’re being honest.
There’s a Bambara proverb that says:
“Even if the rabbit is your enemy, admit that he can sprint fast.”
A simple way of saying: don’t let your ego mess with your judgment.
At work, in our families, or just in daily life, we’ll encounter people who rub us the wrong way. They may be loud, different, or challenging. But refusing to see their value doesn’t make them less effective—it only limits our ability to grow alongside them.
Being clear-eyed and fair, even when it’s uncomfortable, is a quiet strength. It makes space for better decisions, more honest relationships, and a bit more peace within ourselves.
#EverydayWisdom #HumilityInPractice #ClearThinking #PersonalGrowth #AfricanProverbs #TheZooAtWork #EmotionalIntelligence
PRV–WIG006
The Trap of Last-Minute Effort
There’s a quiet illusion many fall into: the belief that urgency can replace consistency. That a final sprint can make up for all the steps we didn’t take. But real results — whether in leadership, strategy, or trust-building — are rarely the fruit of last-minute effort.
We often realise too late that excellence isn’t something you can summon on demand. It’s a slow burn. A quiet discipline. A daily investment in things that won’t show right away, but will matter when it counts.
Rushing to deliver what wasn’t nurtured is a recipe for frustration because some things can’t be done in haste.
“You can’t fatten a pig on market day.”
Let’s stop relying on adrenaline as a strategy. Preparation is power, and the best time to start was yesterday.
#Leadership #StrategicThinking #TrustTheProcess #AfricanProverbs #WisdomAtWork
PRV–WIG007
The weight reveals what abundance conceals
It's easy to downplay what you've never had to carry.
When things arrive with ease — decisions made, paths cleared, tensions absorbed by others — you start mistaking comfort for normalcy. You forget what it truly takes to hold things together.
Then comes the moment when the load is yours—to hold the line, navigate the grey zones, and make sense of the mess. And suddenly, what was hidden steps into view. The background becomes the burden.
That’s where understanding begins—not in theory but through lived experience, earned fatigue, quiet uncertainty, and the slow realisation that simplicity often rests on the shoulders of unseen effort.
As the African proverb reminds us:
“Once you carry your own water, you will learn the value of every drop.”
Not because water is scarce but because experience teaches us what ease tends to erase.
#AfricanWisdom #QuietLeadership #InvisibleWork #Humility #AwarenessThroughEffort #Tilé #LivingProverbs
PRV–WIG008
Two Paths to Success
"Slow success builds character. Fast success builds ego. Don’t pray for success to come quickly; pray for the wisdom to make it last."
— Ratan Tata
That quote says it all.
In a world obsessed with speed, early wins, and instant fame, we often forget: success isn’t about how fast you rise — it’s about how strong you stand when tested.
One path climbs slowly. Each step is intentional, grounded, and full of learning. It builds roots that last.
The other rises fast. Flashy, impressive — but hollow. Without a foundation, it’s only a matter of time before cracks appear.
The harder path is often the one that makes us ready to endure.
#Leadership #Success #Character #GrowthMindset #RatanTata #Resilience #Wisdom #VisualThinking #VisualWisdom #PositiveMinds
PRV–WIG009
The Power of Shared Knowledge
Some hold their knowledge like a candle in a glass case — guarded, flickering, slowly melting away. Others use that same candle to light a fire and invite others to gather, learn, and grow.
“Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared.”
— Buddha
Knowledge is not a treasure to protect. It’s a flame to pass on. Kept — it dies. Shared — it grows.
The irony? When you share it, you don’t lose it — you multiply it. But when you keep it to yourself, it withers — and so does its impact.
In our teams, communities, and leadership journeys, let’s build more campfires.
Let’s be generous with what we know.
#SharedKnowledge #Leadership #Mentorship #LearningCulture #VisualMetaphors #ThePowerOfSharing #CollectiveGrowth #VisualWisdom #PositiveMinds
PRV–WIG010
The Eyes and the Load
"The eyes do not carry the load but they know what the head can carry."
— African Proverb
In many contexts—whether organisational, personal, or societal—we often confuse physical effort with wisdom. But those who observe clearly and think strategically may see what others miss in the rush to act. Observation isn’t passivity—it’s perception with purpose.
This African proverb reminds us that vision, insight, and perspective are as critical as strength. Knowing your limits, planning the path, and anticipating consequences often make the difference between collapse and balance.
In leadership, teams, and development work, it's not always the loudest or the busiest who guide best—but sometimes the quiet observers, who assess the weight before deciding how (or whether) to lift.
#VisualWisdom #LeadershipLessons #AfricanProverbs #Tilé #DecolonisingDevelopment #ObservationMatters #WorkplaceMetaphors #StrategicThinking #PositiveMinds
PRV–WIG011
Mistakes Belong to the Makers
"The hands that make mistakes belong to those who work."
— African Proverb
This African proverb reminds us that error is not a mark of failure — it is often the fingerprint of effort. In a world that too quickly punishes imperfection, we forget that progress is sculpted by those who dare to act, risk, and learn.
Those who stay idle make no mistakes — but they also make no difference. It’s easy to criticise from the sidelines, harder to build, craft, or lead. We owe our innovations, solutions, and breakthroughs not to perfect planners, but to flawed doers.
In our teams and organisations, let’s foster a culture where mistakes are treated as signs of engagement, not incompetence. Let’s reward effort, reflection, and growth. Leadership is not about avoiding missteps, but about owning them and moving forward wiser.
To all those who shape, create, and try — even when things crack along the way — this one is for you.
#VisualWisdom #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #AfricanProverbs #GrowthMindset #CourageToAct #TiléIllustration #PositiveMinds
PRV–WIG012
The Bush Has Its Own Lessons
“Ten years trailing donkeys through the bush — if you don’t learn their bray, you’ll learn the lay of the land.”
— African Proverb
You follow the donkeys for years. You try to understand their bray — the signals, the rhythm, the logic behind their noise. Maybe you never do. But something else happens. Your feet learn the path. Your eyes start to notice the ground. The bush begins to speak in other ways.
This is the kind of learning that doesn’t come from success or recognition. It comes from staying with the work, long after the excitement fades. From doing the quiet, repetitive tasks. From watching how things change when no one is looking.
Even if you don’t master the language, you become fluent in the terrain. You know when the air shifts before a storm. You know which stones are loose. You sense when something is off, even if you can’t explain why. That’s knowledge too — earned, not taught.
We don’t always get the lesson we came for. But time has its own curriculum. And those who walk long enough, even behind donkeys, come away wiser than they began.
#AfricanProverbs #VisualWisdom #ExperienceSpeaks #GroundedLearning #QuietStrength #LeadershipInPractice #DecoloniseDevelopment
PRV–WIG013
Bend the Branch Before It Hardens
“A tree is bent while it is still wet.”
— African Proverb
In every season of growth—whether in leadership, learning, or life—the earliest moments often carry the greatest potential. Like a young sapling, people and systems are more adaptable when nurtured early, with care and intention.
This proverb reminds us that timing matters. Waiting too long to guide, correct, or support may lead to rigidity, resistance, or even breakage. Early investment in coaching, learning, or transformation isn’t just effective—it’s essential.
Whether shaping the habits of a team, nurturing values in a child, or reforming outdated systems, the principle is the same: what is flexible today may not be tomorrow. The cost of delay is often irreversibility.
Let’s not wait until the branches crack. Let’s act while there’s still room to shape.
#LeadershipDevelopment #ProverbsWithWisdom #VisualWisdom #CoachingMatters #GrowthMindset #TimingIsEverything #AfricanProverbs
PRV–WIG014
The Calabash Is Not the River
“One may fill a calabash with water, but that does not make it a river.
— African Proverb
There’s a profound difference between being full and being in motion. Formal education provides us with structured knowledge, mastered concepts, and tangible credentials on our walls. It matters. But it’s still water in a calabash — contained, static, limited.
Wisdom flows like a river. It is shaped by experience, strengthened by failure, and deepened through real-life choices. It travels across the terrain of life, weaving around obstacles, nourishing everything it touches. What we live, observe, and transform — that’s what creates movement and meaning.
Too often, we glorify the container more than the current. But a title doesn’t guarantee insight, and a diploma doesn’t equal depth. The real challenge is to let the water spill, to turn knowledge into action that reaches beyond ourselves.
Let’s value both — the moment of learning and the journey of applying. Let’s remember that transformation doesn’t come from what we hold, but from what we release.
Because in the end, a full vessel is not a flowing source.
#AfricanProverb #WisdomInAction #LifelongLearning #LeadershipDevelopment #DecolonisingKnowledge #EducationAndBeyond #VisualWisdom
PRV–WIG015
By bending, we remain standing.
When challenges arise in life, whether in relationships, at work, or in the world at large, our instinct is often to stiffen, hold our ground, and resist change. However, strength isn’t always about standing tall. Sometimes, it’s about knowing when to yield.
The most resilient among us are not the most unshakeable, but the most adaptable. They understand that enduring doesn’t mean being unmoved; it means moving wisely. It means adjusting without losing oneself, staying rooted while allowing the wind to pass through.
“The tree that bends survives the storm.”
This African proverb reminds us that flexibility is not a sign of weakness — it is a sign of wisdom. The tree that tries to resist the wind with force alone may break. But the one that bends, flows, and leans with the gusts… survives, and even grows stronger.
In a world where uncertainty is a constant, let us learn from nature. Let us embrace the kind of quiet strength that doesn’t need to shout, the kind that endures not through force, but through grace.
#Resilience #Wisdom #Flexibility #AfricanProverbs #Adaptability #PersonalGrowth #EmotionalIntelligence #Leadership #VisualWisdom #LifeLessons #TiléStyle #BendToEndure
🔍 Leadership and Focus
Code: LAF
Centres on leadership as a practice of clarity, adaptability, and collective strength. These proverbs speak to the discipline of staying on course, adjusting style to context, and lifting together rather than alone.
PRV–LAF001
From Command to Connection
Years ago, I came across a Bambara proverb from Mali that stayed with me:
“A shepherd needs only one stick to guide a herd of cattle, but a leader needs a different stick for each person.”
At first, it sounded poetic. With time, I realised it was also brutally honest.
We often admire leaders who are firm, focused, and sure of their path—the ones with the stick in hand. They are clear in direction, consistent in tone, and unshaken in style. That’s the shepherd leader: one approach, one message, one expectation. It works for cattle.
But people? People are not cattle. They think, feel, question, resist, and aspire. They don’t all move in the same direction — and they shouldn’t have to. That’s where the pathfinder leader shows up, not with one stick, but with a toolkit. Not to fix people, but to understand them. To adapt. To make space for difference — and still move forward together.
Clarity is useful. But adaptability is essential.
#Leadership #AdaptiveLeadership #BambaraWisdom #ShiftingPower #PeopleFirst #Storytelling #VisualThinking #Diversity #VisualWisdom #PositiveMinds
PRV–LAF002
Focus on what matters.
“The hunter in pursuit of an elephant does not stop to throw stones at birds.”
— Bambara Proverb (Mali)
This West African saying sharply reminds us to stay focused on what truly matters. The elephant symbolises a significant, long-term goal—something that requires patience, resolve, and intention. Along the way, noisy distractions will flutter around us, tempting us to divert our energy toward momentary irritations or side quests that do little to move us forward.
In leadership, in activism, in personal growth — there are always birds. Critics. Distractions. Ego traps. They may be loud, but they are not the mission. When we waste our energy reacting to everything, we lose sight of the elephant. And without focus, even the most determined hunter ends up wandering in circles.
So let’s keep our eyes on the path, guided by purpose, not noise. Real progress comes from knowing what is worth our time — and what simply isn’t.
#AfricanWisdom #Leadership #Focus #VisualMetaphor #BambaraProverb #Priorities #DecolonisingDevelopment #StorytellingForChange
PRV–LAF003
Strength Is Not a Solo Act
“One finger cannot lift a pebble.”
— African proverb
We live in a world that often celebrates self-reliance, as if needing help were a weakness, and carrying the load alone were a badge of honour.
But some burdens don’t move—not because we’re not strong enough, but because they’re not meant to be lifted alone.
This proverb is a quiet reminder:
Effort matters, yes — but connection multiplies it. What we cannot move alone, we can lift together.
In leadership, life, and change-making, we rise not by standing apart but by standing together.
#Leadership #Collaboration #SharedStrength #AfricanWisdom #CollectivePower #Humility #Teamwork #DecolonisingDevelopment #WeRiseTogether #VisualWisdom #PositiveMinds
PRV–LAF004
Unity in Action: The Power of Collective Strength
“When spiders unite, they can tie up a lion.”
— African proverb
There’s something quietly powerful about this proverb. It speaks to a deep truth we often overlook: even the most formidable force can be restrained when the smallest act together. In a world that tends to glorify the lion — the strong leader, the lone visionary, the towering institution — we forget that strength doesn’t always roar. Sometimes, it whispers in unison.
This illustration is a tribute to that kind of strength—the collective kind. Dozens of tiny spiders weave threads from every angle, anchoring them to trees, stones, and the earth itself. None could succeed alone. But together, their web holds the lion still. Not with violence, but with intention. Not by overpowering, but by outnumbering, outsmarting, and outlasting.
In the world of social change, development, and justice, we’ve often fallen for the myth of individual saviours. Yet the real work—the enduring, transformative work—happens in community, in coalitions, in movements that thread their way through institutions, borders, and beliefs. It’s the patient weaving that binds, not the solitary roar that impresses.
We need fewer lions at the centre and more webs woven at the margins. The future does not belong to those who dominate—it belongs to those who collaborate—those who listen, connect, and act together.
So here’s the question this image asks us all: Who are you weaving with?
#VisualWisdom #AfricanProverbs #Leadership #CollectivePower #DecolonisingAid #UnityInDiversity #Tilé #Collaboration #Teamwork #PowerInSolidarity #SocialChange #WisdomOfTheWeb #Oxfam #DevelopmentRedefined
PRV–LAF004
Listening Beyond the Noise
"The goat that bleats is not that thirsty — it still has the strength to bleat."
— African Proverb
The Sound Isn’t the Signal
In our teams and conversations, the loudest voices don’t always carry the heaviest needs.
This proverb reminds us that if someone still has the strength to cry out, they might not be the one most in need of help.
True leadership is not just about reacting to noise. It’s about noticing the quiet struggles. It’s about tuning in to the signals that don’t shout. And creating space for those who carry weight in silence.
What practices help you listen beyond the noise? What do you do to surface the quiet truths that often go unheard?
#Leadership #ListeningBeyondNoise #SignalVsNoise #TeamCulture #VisualMetaphors #Wisdom #DecolonialLeadership #ActiveListening #ProverbsThatTeach #VisualWisdom #PositiveMinds
PRV–LAF005
The Lizard Escape Plan
"The lizard had the tree in mind before challenging the dog to a fight."
— African Proverb
This African proverb reminds us that bold moves require a backup plan. What may appear as reckless courage is often careful calculation masked in confidence.
In leadership, activism, or negotiation, stepping into conflict without a clear path forward can be disastrous. Like the lizard, effective leaders don't engage unless they've considered their options—and their exits. Planning is not a sign of fear; it’s the foundation of resilience.
In a world where reaction often precedes reflection, this proverb teaches us the power of strategic foresight. Before we leap, challenge, or confront, are we clear about our fallback? Have we secured the tree?
Tilé, our curious avatar, brings this insight to life through metaphor. One glance toward the tree says more than a thousand words: it’s not enough to be brave—you must also be ready.
#VisualWisdom #LeadershipMetaphors #AfricanProverbs #StrategicThinking #ConflictResolution #DecoloniseLeadership #TiléSpeaks #PlanBeforeYouAct #WisdomAtWork
PRV–LAF006
Seek Before the Shadows Fall
"Look for a black goat while it is still daytime."
— African Proverb
This African proverb carries a powerful warning about the importance of timing. In the bright light of day, the black goat is visible. But when the darkness sets in, even the most obvious things become hidden. It reminds us that waiting too long to act can turn manageable challenges into overwhelming obstacles.
In professional and personal life, we often fall into the trap of postponing action—telling ourselves we’ll decide “later” or start “soon.” We defer the uncomfortable, the uncertain, or the unfamiliar. But opportunity has its own clock. The best time to move forward is often before we feel fully ready, not after circumstances force our hand.
This wisdom applies to relationships, leadership, conflict resolution, and even organisational change. The earlier we engage, the more space we have to listen, adapt, and navigate complexity with intention. Waiting may seem safer, but it usually narrows our options and exposes us to greater risk.
The proverb invites us to build a culture of anticipation, not reaction. To be proactive in the presence of clarity, rather than reactive in the fog of crisis. It’s not about rushing decisions, but about recognising when the light is on our side, and acting before the window closes.
#VisualWisdom #Leadership #AfricanProverbs #StrategicThinking #TimingMatters #Anticipation #DecisionMaking #DecolonialLeadership
⚖️ Choices and Consequences
Code: CAC
Reflects on the ripple effects of our decisions — both visible and irreversible. These lessons call for mindfulness in action and courage in facing outcomes, reminding us that wisdom lies in prevention as much as in repair.
PRV–CAC001
Breaking the Horizon: Hope After Hardship.
“However long the night, the dawn will break.”
— Bambara Proverb (Mali)
We all go through long nights. Seasons of uncertainty, heaviness, or silence — when clarity fades and the road ahead disappears. In those moments, it’s easy to believe that the darkness might never lift. But even when we don’t see it, something is always shifting. The sky does not announce the dawn with noise. It returns in whispers — gently, patiently — as the first threads of light stretch across the horizon.
That light doesn’t wait for everything to be fixed. It comes before the problem is solved, before the healing is complete, before the outcome is known. And yet, it changes everything. It reminds us that no night, however long or painful, can last forever. The presence of light, however faint, is proof that we’re moving forward.
So if you're in that quiet space between hardship and hope, don't turn away from the horizon. Let it break slowly before you. Trust that dawn always comes — not all at once, but enough to begin again.
#BreakingTheHorizon #BambaraProverb #VisualWisdom #AfricanPhilosophy #HopeAfterHardship #LeadershipInSilence #StillnessAndStrength #DecolonisingDevelopment #Resilience #TiléNarratives
PRV–CAC002
The Water Won’t Return.
“You can’t get back water that has been poured out.”
— Bambara Proverb (Mali)
It’s a phrase we hear often, but rarely pause to feel. Until one day, it lands differently. We realise that some things, once done, cannot be undone like water slipping from the calabash, soaking silently into the earth.
And so we reach out. We try to catch it. But it’s already gone. No drama—just that quiet moment when loss becomes visible. A word said too quickly. A promise broken. A trust cracked.
This proverb doesn’t come to blame. It comes to remind. To say: hold the calabash carefully. Speak with care. Decide with thought. Real wisdom isn’t about fixing what’s broken but about not breaking it in the first place.
Tilé has learned this — often the hard way. But that’s how wisdom grows: when the echo of our actions lingers longer than the act itself.
#WisdomOfTile #BambaraProverb #IrreversibleActions #HeartfulLeadership #VisualWisdom #QuietReflections #WordsThatStay
PRV–CAC003
Correctable vs. Irreversible.
“You can’t unsay a cruel word, nor unhurt a wounded heart.”
Some mistakes can be erased. Others only grow worse when we try to erase them.
At times, a sincere word or a quiet gesture is enough to make things right. But there are also those moments—those choices—that leave a mark no apology can undo. And that’s where we often go wrong: by insisting on fixing what must instead be acknowledged, we deepen the harm.
Recognising that it’s too late to erase isn’t weakness. It’s clarity. It’s the decision to take responsibility, to carry the weight, and to grow from it.
Our integrity isn’t measured by the absence of error, but by how we respond — with courage, with humility, with care.
What have you tried to erase… when what was needed was simply to face it?
#VisualWisdom #PositiveMinds
PRV–CAC004
Together, We Resonate.
“A single bracelet does not jingle.”
— African Proverb
In a world that often celebrates individual achievement, the quiet strength of interdependence can go unnoticed. The lone voice, the solo act, the independent path — all are praised. Yet, real resonance happens when lives intertwine.
The proverb “A single bracelet does not jingle” offers a simple truth: strength, sound, and movement emerge not from isolation, but from connection. One bracelet on a wrist is silent. Several, together, create music. It is the friction between them, the shared motion, that gives rise to a rhythm.
This is more than ornament — it is metaphor. One idea gains power when it meets another. One hand alone may act, but hands joined together build, protect, and lift. Collective energy is not about erasing difference; it is about combining presence.
In the image that carries this wisdom, two hands speak wordlessly. One is adorned with a single bracelet, still and quiet. The other wears many, captured in motion, gently singing. Between the two, a lesson is revealed: noise is not proof of power — resonance is. And resonance comes from relationship.
When voices harmonise, when efforts align, when values are shared — that is when lasting impact emerges.
Not alone. But together.
#ProverbsOfAfrica #Interdependence #CollectiveWisdom #VisualMetaphors #LeadershipLessons #TogetherWeResonate #AfricanWisdom #TiléSeries #DecolonisingKnowledge #SharedPower
PRV–CAC005
When Little Things Carry Weight.
In any system where power and vulnerability coexist, small actions can have outsized consequences. A quick decision, a delayed response, or a seemingly minor change might seem harmless to the one who acts, yet they can unleash real harm where support is thin and resilience is already stretched.
“A drop of water can flood an ant’s house.”
— African Proverb
This proverb reminds us that the same event does not land the same way for everyone. Impact is shaped not only by intent but also by position. What feels like a drop to one can overwhelm another, not because the act is great but because the ground it falls on is already fragile.
That’s why responsibility begins with awareness, justice begins with listening, and leadership begins with the humility to understand that what seems small can, in the wrong place, cause deep harm.
The careless pour of one can become a catastrophe for many.
#JusticeAndEquity #Responsibility #LeadershipWithCare #EmpathyInAction #AfricanProverbs #TiléVoice #PowerAndImpact
PRV–CAC006
Embracing the Whole Storm
"Those who want rain must also accept the mud."
— African Proverb
This African proverb offers a timeless reminder: the blessings we seek often come bundled with challenges we’d rather avoid.
In our work and leadership journeys, we chase impact, recognition, and results. But too often, we resist the messiness that accompanies them—delays, misunderstandings, and resistance. We want the harvest without the hardship, the clarity without the chaos.
But the mud is not a mistake. It’s a natural part of the process. Growth requires friction. Progress stirs discomfort. Transformation—personal or organisational—doesn’t happen in clean, linear lines.
What if we stopped treating the mud as something to hide or rush through? What if we honoured it as evidence that we are in motion, grappling with real change? The discomfort is not a detour—it’s the terrain.
Let’s embrace both the rain and the mud. Because that’s where real resilience and wisdom are born.
#VisualWisdom #Leadership #AfricanProverbs #ChangeManagement #GrowthMindset #EmotionalResilience #DecolonisingDevelopment #Tilé #PositiveMinds
PRV–CAC007
The Borrowed Path Breaks Early
"Don’t set out on a journey using someone else’s donkey."
— African Proverb
This African proverb reminds us that borrowed visions, borrowed methods — even borrowed motivations — may not carry us far. What isn’t truly ours may not withstand the weight of our purpose or the demands of the journey ahead.
In development, leadership, or personal growth, it’s tempting to rely on someone else’s plan, credentials, or direction. However, when the terrain shifts or the donkey tires, the cracks begin to appear. True progress calls for authenticity, not imitation.
The map may look promising, but if the journey isn’t rooted in your own values, experiences, and convictions, it will likely falter at the first real obstacle. Just because something worked for another doesn’t mean it will work for you.
So pause. Reflect. Are you on your path — or someone else’s?
#VisualWisdom #AfricanProverbs #Leadership #Authenticity #SelfDiscovery #DevelopmentJourney #DecoloniseDevelopment #WisdomAtWork #TiléInsights
PRV–CAC008
It’s not appearances that matter, but the impact we leave behind
"There is no beauty but the beauty of action."
— African Proverb
In today’s world, we are often drawn to appearances—how things look, sound, or seem. But an African proverb reminds us: real beauty lies not in what is admired, but in what is done. In movement, in effort, in the quiet determination of meaningful acts.
While reflection has its place, it is action that shapes reality. The person who plants a tree leaves behind shade, fruit, and life. The one who only admires their own reflection may remain unchanged. Beauty without impact is like a song never sung aloud.
In leadership, development, and social justice, action speaks louder than vision. Let’s honour those who step forward, not just those who speak of stepping. Let’s be among them.
Don’t just echo change. Embody it.
#VisualWisdom #AfricanProverbs #ActForChange #DecoloniseDevelopment #LeadershipInMotion #ThePowerOfAction
🪞 Reality and Humility
Code: RAH
Sheds light on the quiet truths of human interaction — how expectations, entitlements, and haste often clash with the grounded realities of others. These proverbs teach us to approach the world with modesty, presence, and cultural awareness, reminding us that dignity begins where ego ends.
PRV–RAH001
Respect the Ways of the Place
"Do not expect to be offered a chair when you are visiting a place where the chief sits on the floor."
— African Proverb
This African proverb offers a subtle but powerful lesson in humility, adaptability, and cultural intelligence. It reminds us that true respect begins with understanding the norms and values of the spaces we enter, especially when they are not our own.
In global development, leadership, or everyday encounters, we often carry our own assumptions, expecting familiarity in unfamiliar places. But wisdom lies in observation — in noticing what is, before imposing our own knowledge. Respect is not about grand gestures; it's about small choices that signal awareness and deference.
When we walk into a room — a new organisation, community, or conversation — do we bring a chair where everyone else is sitting on the ground? Or do we sit with them, listen first, and learn why things are the way they are?
Let’s cultivate a posture of presence over performance because true connection starts at the level of humility.
#VisualWisdom #LeadershipLessons #CulturalIntelligence #DecoloniseDevelopment #AfricanProverbs #HumilityMatters #RespectTheWays
PRV–RAH002
Savour the Moment
"Don't be in a hurry to swallow when chewing is pleasant."
— African Proverb
In today’s world of speed and deadlines, we often rush through everything — even the things meant to be enjoyed. Meals are eaten on the go, conversations are cut short, and achievements are quickly followed by the next goal. This African proverb reminds us to slow down, to fully experience the moments that bring joy and meaning.
Whether it’s a shared meal, a creative process, or a time of calm in the middle of chaos — presence matters. Hurrying through pleasure often turns it into pressure. Savouring, on the other hand, honours both the process and the experience.
In leadership and in life, let’s not just chase the outcomes. Let’s also pay attention to the journey — the flavours, the pauses, the stories along the way. That’s where resilience and renewal often live.
#VisualWisdom #AfricanProverbs #MindfulLeadership #SlowDown #PresenceMatters #PositiveMinds #LeadershipMetaphors #DecolonialThinking #TiléIllustration #WisdomToLead
PRV–RAH003
Only Together Do Hands Become Clean
“Hands wash each other.”
— African Proverb
We often think of help as something we give — a generous act, extended outward. But this African proverb reminds us that true support is never one-way. When one hand washes the other, both become clean. Helping you helps me.
In every aspect of life — from leadership and friendship to family and teamwork — real progress comes from mutual care. Not charity, not saviourism, not sacrifice. Just the quiet power of reciprocity. Of understanding that our well-being is intertwined.
Support isn’t always loud or dramatic. Sometimes it’s listening without judgment. Sometimes it’s staying present when things get messy. Like water flowing between two hands, it’s in the small, consistent gestures that trust is built.
Too often, modern systems praise rugged independence. But we were never meant to thrive alone. Interdependence isn’t weakness. It’s wisdom. It’s how communities grow, how teams succeed, and how leaders remain grounded.
So when you offer your time, your energy, your care, know that you’re not just helping someone else move forward. You’re moving, too.
#AfricanProverbs #LeadershipWithHeart #Interdependence #VisualWisdom #MutualSupport
PRV–RAH004
Just Because It’s Calm Doesn’t Mean It’s Safe
“Don’t think there are no crocodiles just because the water is calm.”
— African Proverb
Calm can be deceiving. In both life and work, a peaceful surface doesn’t always mean there’s no danger below. This African proverb reminds us to look beyond appearances, because what threatens us isn’t always loud or obvious.
Unspoken tensions, silent risks, and slow-burning problems often hide beneath the smoothest waters. And those who don’t pay attention to the signs beneath the surface are often the ones most caught off guard.
Being alert isn’t being paranoid. It’s being responsible. True peace doesn’t come from ignoring danger, but from seeing clearly and preparing wisely.
Leaders and anyone working towards meaningful change must learn to read between the lines, to notice what isn’t shown, and to act before the current shifts. Because often, trouble doesn’t shout — it waits.
#VisualWisdom #AfricanProverbs #LeadershipInsights #EmotionalIntelligence #StayVigilant #WorkplaceWisdom #PositiveMinds