Organizational Symbiosis: Don’t be a barnacle when you can be an oxpecker

Does your nonprofit have symbiotic relationships? Symbiosis is a relationship between two different species. But just like collaboration, symbiotic relationships come in different forms.

Let me introduce you to the story of the cape buffalo, the tick, and the oxpecker. Ticks are by far my least favorite living thing (for obvious reasons) Ticks have a symbiotic relationship with water buffalo but it’s parasitic - meaning one benefits and the other is harmed. But behold - the oxpecker! This little bird loves to eat ticks! The bird and the water buffalo are different but complementary species are part of a symbiotic relationship called mutualism. It means tick-free living for the water buffalo and tasty treats for the oxpecker. 

But there’s another type of symbiosis that might be working against us. It’s called commensalism. Think barnacles on a whale. Are you a whale, letting barnacles latch on without providing much in return? Or are you the barnacle? If you fell off would the whale even notice? 

Mutualism sustains collaboration. It’s all about the give and take. Commensalism (and parasitism) in our organizations are devoid of true collaboration. 

When nonprofit leaders are looking for co-conspirators, remember that it’s okay to be different. I can’t think of two species as different as a water buffalo and a tiny bird. But they each have something the other can benefit from. Who might your unlikely partners be? 

When nonprofits venture into the world of sustained collaboration, remember the oxpecker and the water buffalo. And don’t be a barnacle.