How Understanding A Bit About Wool Can Make You A Better Leader
Image credits: Robson Hatsukami Morgan via Unsplash.
During a recent hike high in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, I stumbled upon something that initially seemed insignificant—a long smear of white fiber tangled in a bush. At first, I thought it was more of the plastic waste I’d been picking up. But when I looked closer, I realized it was mountain goat hair and wool, likely left behind as one of these nimble animals (Oreamnos americanus) squeezed through the bushes on the rocky shore of a lake.
Goats near the lake where Dr. Tiffany Vora found a handful of wool.
This simple discovery, in the beautifully quiet wilderness, sparked a series of reflections on leadership, resilience, and the importance of seeking insights from the natural world. Let’s explore, together!
Why We Love Wool
To survive the cold and wind at high altitude, mountain goats (which aren’t really goats—ah, the fun of naming!) have multiple coats. The long, hollow hairs on top work with the dense wool underneath to keep the animals warm and dry.
But let’s take a closer look at wool, which is much more than just a protective layer —it's a marvel of biological “engineering,” thanks to evolution’s action over millions of years. You’re probably familiar with sweaters made of wool or cashmere. We like them because they keep us warm and dry. But why?
Image credits: Alfonso Soler via Adobe Stock
Crimp in the wool fiber traps pockets of air that grow warm against the body, helping us stay warm. And wool’s mix of “water-fearing” and “water-loving” building blocks (more on these below) means that any water that isn’t repelled by wool heads to the interior of the fiber—away from our skin.
Heading Down the Microscopic World
Close up of goat wool | Image credits: darshika via Adobe Stock
At the molecular level, wool is composed of a protein called keratin (like in your hair and nails), which itself is made up of long chains of protein building blocks called amino acids. These amino acids come in 20 common “flavors” based on the particular makeup of atoms that stick out from a standard molecular backbone. These “side chains” give each amino acid its unique chemical identity—and each contributes to the unique properties of wool.
💡This is an important pattern that we see many times in the natural world: biology first figured out the standard amino acid backbone, then improvised on the theme over and over until a powerful repertoire of diversity had evolved.
The key to wool’s versatility lies in the way these amino acids interact with each other. The protein chains in keratin are held together by a combination of strong linkages (covalent bonds) and weaker connections (hydrogen bonds and Van der Waals forces). These interactions create a highly structured, yet flexible, matrix. This combination of strong and weak links delivers durability against physical stress as well as elasticity, enabling it to stretch and then return to its original shape without breaking.
By the way, this chemical magic only works in cold water, which is why you shouldn’t wash your sweaters in hot water.
💡In other words, evolution didn’t “optimize” wool in the sense that only strong or permanent structures evolved through natural selection. Rather, in wool we once again see the natural world hedging its bets—favoring resilience over perfection in the face of an uncertain future.
Leadership Lessons from the Evolution of Wool
As I type this article, I occasionally reach out to feel the creamy mountain goat wool that I found by that alpine lake. Here are the connections that I see between nature’s innovation and the challenges facing business leaders today.
1. Diversity is strength. Just as wool’s diverse amino acids and side chains come together to create a material that is strong, flexible, and resilient, a successful leadership approach leverages the diverse strengths of its team members.
Dr. Tiffany Vora delivering a talk | Image credits: Drew Bird Photography
💡 As I’ve pointed out many times, in evolution, diversity is a feature—not a bug. Each person brings unique skills, perspectives, and experiences to the table, and when these are effectively integrated, they create a robust and adaptable organization.
When we recognize and cultivate this diversity, we set ourselves up for resilience and success, not just of a given team, but of our entire organization.
2. Let’s balance rigidity with flexibility. Wool is found across the animal kingdom because it effectively fulfills a particular Job to Be Done. How? By balancing rigidity and flexibility.
💡 Strong bonds provide structure and strength, while the weaker interactions enable flexibility and elasticity. In leadership, this translates to the importance of balancing firm principles with adaptability.
A leader must have a clear set of values and a vision (the covalent bonds) that provide direction and stability. However, they must also be flexible enough to adjust strategies and approaches in response to changing circumstances and opportunities (the noncovalent interactions). This tricky balance is crucial for navigating the complexities of modern business and societal environments.
3. Adaptive resilience is key. Wool’s ability to manage moisture without losing its insulating properties is a lesson in adaptive resilience.
Dr. Tiffany Vora in an Antarctic voyage in 2023. The icy continent's harsh conditions stem from its extreme cold, powerful winds, isolation, and barren landscape, making it one of the most challenging places to live on Earth. Adaptive resilience is key.
In leadership, this can be seen as the ability to absorb external pressures—be it market fluctuations, competitive threats, or internal challenges—without losing focus or effectiveness. Leaders who can adapt to changing conditions while maintaining the core strengths of their organization are more likely to thrive in uncertain and volatile environments.
4. Sustainability and longevity enable long-term success. Wool’s natural durability and its ability to maintain functionality over time highlight the importance of sustainability in leadership. Decisions made today should not only address immediate challenges but also consider long-term impacts.
We should aim to build organizations that are not just successful in the short term, but also sustainable in the long run—even if that means choosing not to maximize today—much like how wool remains functional and resilient across seasons and conditions.
The Bio-Inspired Leadership Mindset
Dr. Tiffany Vora during her trip to Colorado where she found the tuft of goat hair.
Looking beyond traditional expertise and seeking inspiration from nature, art, history—or even a tuft of hair!—can inspire more innovative and holistic leadership approaches.
By understanding and applying the principles that make wool such a versatile and resilient material—diversity, balance, adaptability, and sustainability—we can guide our organizations with the strength and flexibility that nature has perfected over millennia. A Bio-inspired mindset broadens our perspective, challenges our assumptions, and ultimately makes us better leaders.
In our fast-paced world, where every moment seems filled with meetings, deadlines, and endless digital distractions, the idea of getting out into nature can feel like a luxury. Yet, it’s precisely in these natural spaces that our minds and bodies find the renewal we so desperately need. Stepping away from the noise of everyday life allows us to clear our minds, breathe deeply, and connect with something larger than ourselves. It means we can really use all our senses to observe the world around us—and to think deeply about what’s right in front of us.
In the words of naturalist John Muir, “In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” As leaders, we must be willing to step outside our usual paths, to explore the unknown, and to find inspiration in the world around us. Only then can we truly lead with the depth, resilience, and insight that our teams and organizations need.
Let’s get outside!
About Tiffany
Dr. Tiffany Vora speaks, writes, and advises on how to harness technology to build the best possible future(s). She is an expert in biotech, health, & innovation.
For a full list of topics and ways to collaborate, visit Tiffany’s Work Together webpage.
Donate = Impact
After a 19-day voyage to Antarctica aboard The Island Sky in November 2023, Tiffany has many remarkable stories to share & a wealth of insights to catalyze a sustainable future.
You can support her ongoing journey by making a contribution through her donation page. Your support will spread positive impact around the world, empower Tiffany to protect time for impact-focused projects, and support logistical costs for pro bono events with students & nonprofits.