Changing our Behaviours – A Lesson From the Birds
There was an interesting article featured on the Scientific American website about the impact city noise is having on bird songs. Researchers discovered that white-crowned sparrows in city and urban areas sing songs in the higher frequencies, not at all like the same sparrow species found in the countryside that sing in the lower ranges. They found that the city birds changed their songs to these higher frequencies in order to be heard over the sounds of cars, buses, and other sources of noise found in these urban environments. While it’s a remarkable example of the ability of animals to adapt to certain changes in their habitat, the article also got me thinking about how our own behaviour is similarly influenced by the environment that surrounds us.
As is the case with birds, we take cues from our environment in not only how we communicate, but also what information we share. Looking at the kinds of behaviour and conversations we have with our friends in a social setting, we see that it’s quite different from what we present in our workplace. But what is less obvious is the fact that even our mood and our perceptions are influenced greatly by what we surround ourselves with. If we find ourselves in the company of people who tend to be rather negative in their impressions about life and the events around them, it’s only natural that eventually our own perceptions will start to lean more to the negative side. Indeed, a recent study at the University of Chicago revealed that loneliness, or feelings of social disconnect, can be easily spread to others, ironically enough through social interactions.
Of course, the flip side of this coin is that we’re equally affected by positive influences in our lives – that surrounding ourselves with people who share feelings of encouragement, motivation and offer support will also impact our mood and perceptions, though in this case in a more beneficial manner. One key reason why we choose the people we want to be friends with is because they make us feel good, because their behaviours and conduct create beneficial feelings and moods within us.
Unfortunately, we can’t always be around people who uplift our spirits and at times, we can find ourselves in the presence of people who tend to nurture in us feelings of negativity or a sense of gloom. It’s a common infliction of today’s workplace to find individuals who, as a result of the mood and outlook they bring to the office, are viewed as the source for feelings of apprehension, or worse even dread about going to work. However, there is a lesson we can learn from the sparrows in how we deal with such individuals.
When faced with the problem of city noise drowning out their songs, the sparrows didn’t move off to another area where they could continue to sing at their usual frequencies. This of course makes a lot of sense since these habitats were still a good place for them to find food and shelter. Rather than let the noise block their ability to communicate, the birds simply adapted their singing so they could be heard over the noise. In other words, even though environmental factors were impacting their behaviour, they found a way to change how they communicated, but not what they communicated, in order to be able to continue to live in these city centres.
Just like the birds, we have the ability to decide how we’ll deal with negative impacts in our environment, even when we can’t simply shift to another one. By recognizing the fact that our own behaviours are influenced by the people and events that happen around us, we can better manage our mood and outlook. And as the sparrows have learned, we can learn how to rise above the noise in order to communicate something of value for the benefit of others.
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Excellent metaphor, Tanveer, plus insightful conclusions from the metaphor! Being a bird-lover, I was immediately attracted when I saw “A Lesson From the Birds”, then the insights really resonated. I think too often people think they need to “escape” an inhospitable environment, when if we look at nature, we realize that adaptation is better for long-term survival! There are many things we can do to alter our personal environments, and your tips about recognizing the effects of others on our outlook and managing our own personal emotional space is a great place to start.
Hi Beth,
Thanks for your comment on this piece. I think one of the traps that we fall into is believing that we’re no longer being influenced by circumstances and people in our lives. By understanding that, as social creatures, we’re always being influenced – as well as influencing others – we can gain a better appreciation for why we behave in the manner we do. And in that light, we’d have a better opportunity to build on the behaviours we want to share with those around us, while working on removing the ones we’d rather do without.
Thanks again, Beth, for your comment. I’m glad you enjoyed my inclusion of some biology in this piece.
Tanveer, you hit all of my sweet spots. I am educated as a biologist, and realized through your insight that the education I received contributes to my thinking that leaders can adapt and change their behavior, despite the circumstances/culture/contexts they find themselves in. Survival of the fittest seems to work for humans, too. All too often we excuse our behavior as beyond our control due to the spot we find ourselves in.
You also know one of my secrets about surrounding myself with amazing, interesting, positive, ethical, trustworthy people. That was an intentional act that began about six years ago. I now find that I don’t have to think much about it – it just happens. I now have these wonderful people in my life without trying too hard.
Thanks for a great, thoughtful post.
Mary Jo, it seems we share yet another trait in common, as I was educated in the medical sciences. Small world, indeed.
I think you’re absolutely right that this education in the sciences gives a different route to approaching ideas of leadership and interactions with people. After reading this piece about the adaptation of birds to their environment, of how they basically ignored the negative aspects and focused instead on the benefits of remaining in that habitat, I could see this idea translating very well to human interactions. Just like these birds, humans as well have to contend with unpleasant elements in our environment. The key though is to take our lead from the birds in making sure we don’t let it influence our behaviour in a detrimental fashion.
By being aware of how we’re influenced by those around us, we can take more decisive steps to seek out people who will challenge us, support us and provide us with that drive to press ahead. I think the fact that you’re now surrounded by such individuals – and what’s more that you attract more of them in your direction – is a perfect example of how taking control of these influences in our environment can lead to some amazing benefits.
Thanks Mary Jo for sharing your thoughts here. Glad you enjoyed this piece. And it’s great to find out that we share yet another piece of the puzzle.
Yes, we are definitely influenced by the people around us. And it is necessary to give attention to the ones that will bring us more positive flow.
I do like to include all people though, sometimes the people that appear to be gruff have a very gentle heart. I like to dig deeper to see the true self and not be influenced by the surface. I like to believe that most humans have a good heart they just need a chance and be told that they make a difference. Great blog as usual,so creative Tanveer.
Thanks Janet; I appreciate that.
You’re right that it’s important to give others a chance, to see what might be under that gruff or indifferent front. After all, we have to remember that in our interactions with these people, we’re only getting one part of their sphere of influence – ours. So, it’s hard to really appreciate what other factors are influencing their behaviour or mood, unless we take the time to delve deeper and see if there’s something more to be found.
Thanks again for your comment, Janet and your kind compliment.
I was also drawn to your post by the title, Tanveer. My passion outside of work is birding. I love being out with nature and watching these beautiful creatures in action. Really helps me stay “in the moment.” I had experienced differences in bird songs within a given species but had no idea why until reading this post. So I enjoyed your introductory comments all by themselves.
But the connection you made with human environments is sheer genius. I have seen first-hand the difference it makes in my own attitude, motivation and energy when I’m surrounded by a single negative, pessimistic person vs. positive, action-oriented, can-do people.
Thank you for this excellent post and the points you made. I’ve added yours to blogs I follow. I love the way you think and write.
Why, thank you, Meredith. That’s very kind of you to say. It’s always nice to hear that ideas or pieces one writes about are resonating with others.
I’m glad the inclusion of this study has helped to explain something you’ve noticed in your birding excursions. I certainly found it fascinating how these birds maintained this resolve to not give up on living in these urban environments on account of our noise pollution; that they simply found an another path to take so they could carry on their way. Makes you appreciate how for the animals, there is no concept of the grass being greener.
Thanks again for your kind compliments, Meredith. They are most appreciated.