Shows / AquatiZoo podcast
AquatiZoo podcast
A look into the inner workings of a zoo or aquarium accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Leadership, management, and career details that might interest someone who might be looking for a change or just might be curious about their favorite animal-related facilities!
Episodes
AquatiZoo podcastAppealing to Wide Audiences
While we want to appeal to everyone, it can be a challenge to reach all the audiences we hope will be interested in our offerings at a zoo or aquarium. There…
AquatiZoo podcastOrganizational Retaliation
Unfortunately, retaliation is just sneaky enough to weave itself into the fabric of an organization. How might that happen? What does it look like? Today we…
AquatiZoo podcastTraining Underrepresented Taxa
Some animals present a special challenge to even the most seasoned of trainers. It's not impossible to train invertebrates, fish, reptiles, and amphibians…
AquatiZoo podcastSubtle Retaliation
It might be the overt acts that are against an organization's policies, it could be behavior that is much more subtle and difficult to identify. While we can't…
AquatiZoo podcastThe Wildest Animal
The wildest animal in any zoo or aquarium is not necessarily a big cat or a bear or a shark! Today we discuss the wildest entity of them all, how we deal with…
AquatiZoo podcastInteractions Gone Wrong
Most of us have had interactions with others that didn't quite go as intended. It can take a fair amount of practice and time to think back on those instances…
AquatiZoo podcastAnimal Welfare Concern Reporting
Animal welfare is a concern for all, whether you're employed by an animal care institution or not. If you see something questionable in your visit to or work…
AquatiZoo podcastGatekeeping Information
It may be intentional, or it may not be. Regardless of the reasoning, dealing with someone who is hoarding information or gatekeeping in the workplace can be…
AquatiZoo podcastEthics of Zoos and Aquariums
The question we hear most often is whether animals should be in human care. Is it ethical? Are there circumstances where it is or is not? Today we wade into…
AquatiZoo podcastBe the Change
Now that we have discussed so many different behaviors that might be problematic, it's time to talk about what might be a better option. Whether you have…
AquatiZoo podcastVendors and Suppliers
Aquariums and zoos may not always have the expertise on staff needed to accomplish all of the work that needs to be done. We hire companies and partners to…
AquatiZoo podcastThe Credit Stealer
Another challenging type of behavior seen in leaders and peers can be someone who takes credit for the work of others. Today, we discuss how this behavior may…
AquatiZoo podcastAdministration
There's a group of well-dressed professionals dreaming big and mapping the road to success in any aquarium or zoo, and guests may not even realize it. Today we…
AquatiZoo podcastThe Authoritarian Leader
There is a time and place to use the authoritarian leadership style. When it is used as the default leadership style, however, it can cause problems in the…
AquatiZoo podcastFacilities Teams
The often unnoticed group that keeps zoos and aquariums running in top shape are the facilities teams. Covering a wide array of skills, knowledge of…
AquatiZoo podcastThe Non-Confrontational Leader
It seems so harmless to have a leader that doesn't seem to want to upset anyone, but this sort of stand-offish behavior can be a problem for everyone in the…
AquatiZoo podcastTransparency in Animal Care
Why would an aquarium or zoo invite guests to see behind-the-scenes areas? What might the reasoning for positioning a camera crew to record keeper, aquarist…
AquatiZoo podcastAccidental Micromanager
As common as micromanaging tends to be, it's important to understand how these behaviors come to be and why people might lean into micromanaging habits. There…
AquatiZoo podcastManaging Perception for Organizations
Perceptions are not just important to manage on a personal level, but an organizational one as well. Today we discuss the identity management at a higher level…
AquatiZoo podcastManaging Perception in the Workplace
You may not ponder what others think of you much, but there are some benefits to having an understanding of how you and your work are being perceived. Today we…
AquatiZoo podcastData-Driven Empathy for Animal Care
We use data-driven empathy regularly to improve welfare for our animals, so how might we be able to use similar skills for people? You don't have to be a…
AquatiZoo podcastData-Driven Empathy in Leadership
The term "data-driven empathy" may seem contradictory, but it is important to understand what the numbers and the atmosphere are indicating about the health of…
AquatiZoo podcastRisk in Animal Introductions
One of the most challenging things that animal care professionals have to do is introducing animals to one another. Today we discuss the methods we can use to…
AquatiZoo podcastGaining Buy-In
There's a certain challenge to convincing others to go along with an idea or initiative that you're proposing, but there are a few simple things to keep in…
AquatiZoo podcastPlanning for the Future
When you have a job that is very physical in nature, planning by required if something like an injury or similar issue come into play. While unpleasant to…
AquatiZoo podcastInitiative
Why might someone be on the verge of losing a job for inaction? What else might be happening under the surface? Is it worth trying to help someone who may be…
AquatiZoo podcastFor Profit and Non-Profit Zoos and Aquariums
Have you ever wondered how these different types of businesses operate? Today we discuss the things that are the same as well as the things that differ between…
AquatiZoo podcastThe Skill of Interviewing
Believe it or not, you can get better at participation in the interview process! A bit of time spent preparing for these conversations can go a long way to…
AquatiZoo podcastTeamwork in Aquariums and Zoos
It's not just about the animals, or, it shouldn't be, at least. Despite our focus on providing great care for the animals, there is a need to spend time and…
AquatiZoo podcastAccountability in Teams
Accountability can a difficult thing to maintain in a group. Today we discuss the core issues at hand when people need to be held accountable for their actions…
AquatiZoo podcastPreparing for a Crisis
There are many things to consider if you have the luxury of time to prepare for a situation that may impact work. In certain cases, there are many layers of…
AquatiZoo podcastInternal or External Hiring
As if the work of hiring wasn't difficult enough, it's important to evaluate whether the best fit for a position is likely to come from a candidate already…
AquatiZoo podcastBehind the Scenes Tours
It's a fun little add-on to the day, but there are a lot of hidden purposes and benefits to booking a tour behind the scenes. Whether your interest is in…
AquatiZoo podcastLearn New Skills
The beginning of a new year is a great time to take a look at how things have been going and where some changes might be needed. A good way to keep the mind…
AquatiZoo podcastPopulation Management
Today is a deep dive into how we make decisions regarding how many animals to place in a given enclosure or space. There are many factors involved, but…
AquatiZoo podcastPsychological Safety
If you're not familiar with the term, you're very likely familiar with the feeling of a workplace where psychological safety has been established or where it…
AquatiZoo podcastLifespans of Animals
It's one of the most common questions that we hear in the aquarium and zoo field. People naturally want to know how long animals live and sometimes the…
AquatiZoo podcastDealing with Multiple Supervisors
Often our organizations are structured in such a way that we have the potential for several supervisors, and their requests may differ. How might one…
AquatiZoo podcastInsurance in Zoos and Aquariums
Today we're taking an exceptionally deep dive into the things behind the scenes that keep zoos and aquariums running. There are many things that could happen…
AquatiZoo podcastRevisiting: The Art of Forgiveness
We're often led to believe that offering forgiveness to someone who has wronged us is only of benefit to the other person. In reality, it's quite the opposite!…
AquatiZoo podcastRevisiting: Guest Experience vs. Animal Welfare
We understand what they are, but are guest experience and animal welfare naturally opposing forces? No, but it might happen behind the scenes in your favorite…
AquatiZoo podcastNeurodivergence in the Workplace
Approaching this purely as a coworker and sometimes leader of people, today we discuss the challenges (and overestimated challenges) one might run across while…
AquatiZoo podcastSurplus Animals
There are times when a zoo or aquarium has more animals than they can realistically care for in the long term. There are plans in place to handle these…
AquatiZoo podcastActions vs. Outcomes
There's a big difference in contemplating the "what" behind a goal versus the "why." Today we discuss the difference between actions and outcomes and how…
AquatiZoo podcastScientific Research in Zoos and Aquariums
Our institutions strive to provide education, conservation, and scientific discovery to the communities we serve. There are several ways in which aquariums and…
AquatiZoo podcastChange Management
When our organizations need to make changes, we should consider the methods and approach carefully. Why is change important? Where do we start? How can we make…
AquatiZoo podcastSocial Media in Zoos and Aquariums
Despite it being such a normalized part of modern society, aquariums and zoos have to be thoughtful in the way they use social media. It can be a double-edged…
AquatiZoo podcastRisk Management
When change is needed, it is important to discuss the the worst possible scenario and the best possible outcome. Doing so, we can put things into perspective…
AquatiZoo podcastDisposal of Animal Bodies
Perhaps you've wondered what happens when a large or exotic animal passes in a zoo or aquarium. While not the most upbeat of topics, it is one that we have to…
AquatiZoo podcastOverloading People with Paperwork
If you're anything like me, the paperwork side of your job can be entirely overwhelming. There are ways to streamline and make necessary actions a lot easier…
AquatiZoo podcastMedications in Aquariums and Zoos
It is unlikely that visitors ever give much thought to what medications might be onsite at their favorite aquarium or zoo or how they are used. The innovation…
AquatiZoo podcastResistance to Change
Change is hard. Resistance can appear in many different forms. Today we discuss the many ways resistance to change might appear and how to turn it into…
AquatiZoo podcastRevisiting: Geriatric Animals
We all get a bit older. Animals are no different! How do aquariums and zoos navigate the challenges that accompany advancing age and decreased mobility?…
AquatiZoo podcastRevisiting: The Skill of Listening
We've all been frustrated by people who don't want to listen, but how practiced at it are we ourselves? Have you paid close attention to what you do when…
AquatiZoo podcastStrategic Planning
Having a goal in mind is important for the progress of any organizations. Today we discuss the benefits and challenges of discussing where we're going, why…
AquatiZoo podcastVocalizing What You Want
Communication is complicated. When you're trying to get people to come along with you, there should be some clarity about the end goal. Don't just tell people…
AquatiZoo podcastEmergency Response
What do power outages, hurricanes, zombie apocalypses, floods, wars, diver injuries, guest falls, and epidemics have in common? These are things that zoos and…
AquatiZoo podcastRespecting Everyone's Time
A great way to show that you value the people around you is to respect their time as valuable to them and to you. Keeping meetings running as scheculed and…
AquatiZoo podcastCollaboration for Exhibit Design
It's frustrating, it's rewarding, it's stressful, it's exciting! Exhibit design may seem simple and straightforward on the surface, but when it comes to…
AquatiZoo podcastEmotion Management
This is something that can take a long time to identify and work on for oneself. Emotion management is important to practice so that you avoid doing something…