Wildlife Photography and Leadership: Bill John’s Photo Odyssey

Wildlife Photography and Leadership: Bill John’s Photo Odyssey

Thirty-two years ago, Bill John, CEO and Co-Founder of Odyssey Teams, set out with a simple but powerful vision: to travel, be outside, and help people. That vision became the foundation for Odyssey Teams, a company that would go on to transform corporate culture through experiential learning and philanthropic team building. But six years ago, during a Build-a-Hand program in India, something unexpected happened. A tiger crossed his path - literally and metaphorically - and added a new dimension to his life’s work: wildlife photography and leadership. Today, Bill’s lens captures more than just animals. It captures stories, lessons, and metaphors that mirror the very essence of leadership, teamwork, and transformation.

Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/WvaYtygv4RU?si=IguixfFX5Ug8fQ5b

From Boardrooms to Bush Camps

Bill doesn’t just dabble in photography - he lives it. He travels regularly to Africa, where he has a place near Kruger National Park. He’s earned his NQF2 Safari Guide qualification, an Advanced Snake Handling certificate, and a Level Two Tracks and Signs certification in Southern Africa. He’s also spent time in Canada photographing polar bears in the wild, braving sub-zero temperatures for the chance to capture nature’s quiet majesty.

His Instagram @billjohnphotography is a visual journal of these journeys - featuring leopards in tall grass, elephants at dusk, and polar bears silhouetted against icy horizons. Each image is a meditation on patience, presence, and perspective.

What Wildlife Photography and Leadership Teaches Us About Business

Bill’s photography isn’t just a hobby—it’s a philosophy. And it’s deeply intertwined with how he leads Odyssey Teams and inspires others.

Here are a few metaphors he lives by:

1. Focus Is Everything

In photography, the subject must be clear. The background can blur, but the focal point must be sharp. In business, the same holds true. Leaders must identify what matters most - whether it’s culture, purpose, or people - and keep it in focus, even when distractions abound.

2. Light Changes Everything

Photographers chase light. They know that timing, angle, and exposure can turn an ordinary scene into something extraordinary. In business, light is clarity, transparency, and truth. When leaders shine light on values, vision, and vulnerability, teams thrive.

3. Stillness Reveals Movement

In the bush, Bill waits. Hours pass. Then, a flicker in the grass—a leopard. In business, stillness is strategy. It’s the pause before the pivot. The reflection before the decision. Great leaders know when to wait, watch, and listen.

4. Every Shot Is a Story

A photo isn’t just an image - it’s a narrative. Who was there? What was felt? What changed? In business, every project, meeting, and milestone tells a story. Bill’s work reminds us to capture those stories, honor them, and share them.

The Tiger That Changed Everything

During a Helping Hands program in India, Bill was facilitating a session where teams built prosthetic hands for people in need. As the program wrapped, he wandered into the nearby forest with his camera. That’s when he saw it—a tiger, watching him from the trees.

It wasn’t just a wildlife encounter. It was a moment of alignment. The tiger represented power, presence, and purpose - all qualities Bill had been teaching through Odyssey Teams. That moment sparked his deeper commitment to wildlife photography and conservation.

Conservation as a Leadership Practice

Bill’s photography isn’t just about beauty - it’s about belonging. He often quotes the Zulu greeting “Sawubona,” which means “I see you.” The response, “Ngikhona,” means “I am here.” For Bill, photography is a way to see and be seen - to connect with nature, with others, and with oneself.

His work in Africa supports ethical conservation and eco-tourism initiatives, including partnerships with guides like Werner Miller at Tulela Lodge. He’s passionate about protecting biodiversity and inspiring others to see the value in what’s often overlooked—whether it’s a spider lily blooming for one day or a child receiving their first bike through Odyssey’s Life Cycles program.

Building Teams, Building Awareness

Odyssey Teams’ programs - like Build-a-Hand, Life Cycles, and Playhouse Challenge - are built on the same principles Bill uses in photography:

• Be present.
• See the whole picture.
• Focus on what matters.
• Leave a legacy.

Whether teams are building prosthetic hands or capturing wildlife on camera, the goal is the same: transformation through connection.

Join the Photo Odyssey

Bill’s journey is ongoing - and you’re invited. Whether you’re a business leader, a nature lover, or someone seeking deeper meaning in your work, there’s something to learn from the way Bill sees the world.

To explore Odyssey Teams’ programs or inquire about Bill’s keynote presentations and photography, call (800) 342-1650 or email Odyssey Teams.

And don’t forget to check out his wildlife photography on Instagram: @billjohnphotography