# 4 animals that explain your reaction to change | Manisha Dhawan | TEDxSanDiegoWomen

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpuSq_CMb1U
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/jpuSq_CMb1U
Generated: 2025-11-11T10:11:02.962+00:00

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## Quick Overview

Manisha Dhawan presents her "Change Animal" framework, which uses four animal archetypes—Coyote, Moose, Bear, and Ostrich—to help people understand and navigate change in their personal and professional lives by recognizing whether they instinctively sprint ahead, pause to plan, cling to tradition, or hide from the situation.

**Key Points:**
- The talk introduces four animal archetypes for change reactions: Coyote, Moose, Bear, and Ostrich.
- The Coyote archetype embraces change, sprints fast, and acts as a go-getter, but risks rushing into the wrong direction or burning out.
- The Moose archetype is strong and rational, preferring to study the map and plan the route before making any moves regarding change.
- The Bear archetype is thoughtful and practical, valuing tradition and often getting stuck due to over-analyzing or clinging too tightly to the past.
- The Ostrich archetype prefers to hide from change by burying their head in the sand or distracting themselves, which can lead to missed opportunities or burnout.
- The speaker, Manisha Dhawan, developed this framework over 20 years consulting with Fortune 500 companies on change and digital transformation.

![Screenshot at 00:11: The introduction slide featuring speaker Manisha Dhawan and the talk title, "What is Your Change Animal?", setting the stage for her framework on navigating change.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/jpuSq_CMb1U/00-00-11.png)

**Context:** Manisha Dhawan delivers a TEDxSanDiegoWomen talk titled "What is Your Change Animal?" where she outlines a system developed over two decades of guiding organizations through change and digital transformation. The core concept involves identifying which of four animal archetypes best represents an individual's instinctive reaction when facing change in areas like career, health, or relationships.

## Detailed Analysis

Manisha Dhawan introduces her "Change Animal" framework, which categorizes reactions to change into four primary archetypes: Coyote, Moose, Bear, and Ostrich. She posits that everyone experiences change frequently across personal and systemic levels. The Coyote thrives on change, embracing risk and acting quickly, but risks burning out or moving in the wrong direction. The Moose is strategic, taking time to plan and map out the path before acting. The Bear is rational and values tradition, often overthinking or getting stuck by holding too tightly to the past, leading to analysis paralysis. The Ostrich avoids change by hiding or distracting themselves, potentially missing opportunities or becoming overwhelmed. Dhawan recounts an anecdote of a manager who was an Ostrich during a digital transformation, leading to her feeling left behind as the team adapted. She emphasizes that there is no inherently 'right' or 'wrong' animal, but understanding your primary mode (and your shadow side) allows you to leverage your strengths and consciously choose a more balanced approach, such as pausing to gain perspective or seeking help when needed, rather than defaulting to the most comfortable reaction.

### Introduction to Change Archetypes

- Most people experience change in life, systems, and technology; the key is identifying your instinctive reaction.
- The talk introduces four animals: Coyote, Moose, Bear, and Ostrich, as archetypes for change reactions.

### The Coyote Archetype

- Coyotes thrive on change, are go-getters, and embrace disruption; however, they must learn to pause, ground themselves, and avoid rushing or burning out (3:03
- 3:37).

### The Moose Archetype

- Moose are thoughtful and practical, studying the map and planning the route before executing change; they must learn to avoid analysis paralysis (4:37
- 6:54).

### The Bear Archetype

- Bears are strong and value tradition; they can get stuck by over-analyzing or holding too tightly to the past, leading to stagnation (6:15
- 7:43).

### The Ostrich Archetype

- Ostriches prefer to bury their head in the sand, hoping change goes away; this leads to feeling lost, overwhelmed, or missing opportunities (7:19
- 8:29).

### Finding Balance

- Recognizing your primary animal allows you to leverage its strength while mitigating its weakness; the goal is self-awareness and conscious choice rather than defaulting to the easiest reaction (8:56
- 11:11).

![Screenshot at 00:11: Introduction slide displaying Manisha Dhawan and the talk title, establishing the theme of animal archetypes in response to change.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/jpuSq_CMb1U/00-00-11.png)
![Screenshot at 02:32: Visual introduction of the four animal archetypes—Bear, Coyote, Ostrich, Moose—as the core framework of the presentation.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/jpuSq_CMb1U/00-02-32.png)
![Screenshot at 03:02: Image overlay explicitly labeling the Coyote archetype, representing those who embrace and sprint through change.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/jpuSq_CMb1U/00-03-02.png)
![Screenshot at 04:37: Speaker Manisha Dhawan mimicking the antlers of a Moose by raising her hands above her head to represent the thoughtful, planning archetype.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/jpuSq_CMb1U/00-04-37.png)
![Screenshot at 06:14: Image overlay explicitly labeling the Bear archetype, associated with rationality and tradition.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/jpuSq_CMb1U/00-06-14.png)
![Screenshot at 07:23: Image overlay showing the Ostrich burying its head, illustrating the tendency to avoid or deny change.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/jpuSq_CMb1U/00-07-23.png)
![Screenshot at 08:08: Speaker using broad, open-handed gestures while discussing the inherent duality \(strength and shadow side\) of each animal archetype.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/jpuSq_CMb1U/00-08-08.png)
![Screenshot at 10:03: Visual comparison slide showing the Bear archetype next to the Coyote/Bear Hybrid, illustrating the concept of mixed reactions.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/jpuSq_CMb1U/00-10-03.png)
![Screenshot at 12:07: Speaker concluding her main points with a gesture of gratitude \(hands pressed together in prayer/Namaste\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/jpuSq_CMb1U/00-12-07.png)