5 Business Lessons From The Bird That Wouldn’t Budge

On Saturday afternoon, I drove into my street and saw something unusual.

Right there by the waste bin, a Pied Crow — black, shiny, and bold — was perched, pecking away at a plastic bag. I slowed down a bit, thinking it would fly off the moment it noticed my car.

But it didn’t.

Instead, it gave me one quick side-eye and went right back to its business — tearing into that bag like it owned the place. Curious, I parked and took a picture.

And then I just stood there for a moment, thinking: this bird really doesn’t care who’s watching. That small moment turned into a quiet reflection about business and leadership, drawn from the remarkable characteristics of this species.

Pied Crows are fascinating creatures. They can recognize faces, use tools, and even solve problems. They’ve been observed dropping nuts on roads so cars can crack them open — pure strategy. Sometimes, they work in pairs or small groups — alerting each other to danger yet competing fiercely for resources. They know when to collaborate and when to compete.

Here’s what this bold Lagos crow reminded me about leadership:

💼 Boldness in the Face of Risk

The crow knows humans can chase or harm it, but it also knows there’s food to be found. That’s the kind of boldness leaders need — to take calculated risks even when the environment looks hostile.

🏹 Focus Amid Distraction

Cars passed, people walked by, and the crow kept digging. It didn’t waste time looking up every few seconds. In a noisy world filled with endless opinions and “advice,” staying focused on what truly feeds your business is an underrated superpower.

🪴 Adaptability

The Pied Crow thrives everywhere — from cities to villages, from trees to dustbins. They thrive anywhere and can eat almost anything — from fruits to leftovers. It doesn’t complain about conditions; it just adjusts its strategy. As founders and business leaders, we must learn to adapt fast to changing markets, currencies, policies, and customer behavior.

🤿 Resourcefulness

That bird wasn’t scavenging because it was desperate — it was being efficient. It makes the most of what’s available. They hang around places where humans are, not out of laziness but out of strategy — they know where the opportunities (or food) are. Like these birds, great businesses innovate not by getting more resources, but by becoming resourceful with what they already have.

🥉 Confidence

Above all, it reminded me that confidence is silent. The crow didn’t make noise or flap around; it just went about its business with quiet assurance. That’s the kind of grounded confidence that builds trust — in investors, employees, and customers alike.

As I drove off, the bird was still there — unbothered.

It struck me that sometimes, leadership isn’t about soaring high above the noise. Sometimes, it’s about staying grounded enough to keep pecking at what matters… even when people are watching, waiting, or doubting.

So here’s to the Pied Crow — Saturday’s unlikely instructor in resilience, focus, and fearless pursuit. 🖤🤍