The Zebra Story

Zebras standing in tall grass

At William C. Rawe Consulting, we believe leadership growth should be accessible to all, customized to your unique needs, and holistic, addressing not just skills but mindset and beliefs. Today, I’ll share a story inspired by Dr. Jordan Peterson, called the Zebra Story, to show how we can overcome internal barriers to become transformative leaders.

Imagine a herd of zebras grazing on the African savanna. Their black-and-white stripes don’t blend into the grass—they stand out against the brown and green. So why the stripes? They’re not camouflaged against the landscape but against each other, making it hard for lions to pick out one zebra to chase. When every zebra looks the same, the herd is safe. But here’s the twist: researchers once marked a zebra with red paint to study it. Suddenly, that zebra stood out, and the lions zeroed in, targeting it for attack. The lesson? Standing out can be dangerous.

Now, let’s apply this to leadership. How often do we “keep our stripes on” to blend in? Maybe you avoid speaking up in a meeting because you fear criticism, or you hesitate to delegate because you think, “No one else can do it as well as me.” These are our zebras—hidden assumptions that keep us safe but hold us back. My vision is to help you shed those stripes and embrace your unique potential, even when it feels risky.

This is where our approach comes in. We use the Immunity to Change method, developed at Harvard, to uncover those zebras—the unconscious beliefs that block growth. Through a process called the Immunity to Change Map, we help you identify your goals, the behaviors sabotaging them, and the assumptions driving those behaviors. Over six months, with tailored coaching, we challenge those assumptions. For example, I worked with a client, Maria, who struggled to empower her team. She assumed she had to control every decision to prove her competence. Using ITC, we helped her see this “zebra” and shift her approach, leading to a more engaged team and better work/life balance.

My vision is to make this transformation available to everyone, not just executives. Leadership development should be democratized, so every employee, from entry-level to senior management, can grow. It should be customized, like the coaching we gave Maria, to fit your specific challenges. And it should be holistic, addressing your mindset, not just your skills. Whether through one-on-one coaching, team workshops, or our online training at williamcrawe.com, we’re here to help you stand out as a leader, even when it feels like the lions are watching.

Growing through the Immunity to Change Model

Let me share a quick story. One client, Aimee, said, “William’s approach opened my eyes to how my assumptions were limiting my leadership. Now, I lead with confidence.” You can read more testimonials on our website, showing how we’ve helped leaders improve communication, delegation, and well-being by shedding their stripes. These stories prove that standing out, though scary, is the path to growth.

Ready to find your zebras? Here’s how to start:

• Visit williamcrawe.com to explore our services, from executive coaching to online leadership training.

• Sign up for our workshop, “Shed Your Stripes,” where you’ll create your Immunity to Change Map.

• Follow me on LinkedIn for free resources, like articles and webinars, including my piece on why I love the ITC method (LinkedIn Article).

• I’m also available for speaking engagements to bring this vision to your organization. Let’s inspire your team to stand out and lead with courage.

The Zebra Story reminds us that blending in feels safe, but true leadership means daring to stand out. Let’s reimagine leadership development together—accessible, tailored, and transformative. I’d love to hear your questions. What “stripes” are you holding onto, and how can we help you shed them?