Leading By Example In The Digital Space

Once upon a time, scientists thought people were the only animals that took on the roles of teacher and student. However, some studies ^[1] tell us we actually teach alongside the esteemed ranks of ants, meerkats, and orangutans. 

Scientists at the University of Bristol observed rock ants participating in what is now called “tandem-running.” When gathering food, a more experienced ant, or the teacher, would partner up with a newer ant, the student. The student ant even follows behind the teacher ant, who will both sometimes stop to “take in visual landmarks.” 

For another example, young meerkats will recognize the difference between safe and unsafe food items. It turns out that older meerkats baby-proof dangerous food items for their young – i.e., taking the stinger off a scorpion – whereas older meerkat young eat intact scorpions. They seem to learn from watching their parents eat, who chose to teach them. 

If you want to learn even more about the wild world of animal education, you should read the full article by Dr. Jo Wimpenny, writer for BBC Wildlife. Her piece is what I’m citing here. 

Like the beauty of teaching between animals, human-to-human teaching is exceptional. Society teaches their children so they can continue as functional, productive, engaged society members. 

We teach our younger siblings how to tie their shoes. We teach our coworkers how to use the cash register. We teach the stranger on the street how to get to 7/11. 

National Geographic calls “human teaching” an “empathetic art.” ^[2]

(Unfortunately, the rest of that article is behind a demand for your email.)

Luckily, we don’t need Nat Geo’s perspective to make the point I’m trying to make. Human beings are strange, social, emotional creatures that take it upon themselves to teach other humans. 

How? By showing them. We lead by example.

Think back to when you learned to tie your shoelaces. It took my clumsy self until I was nine years old to figure it out finally. But, it was by watching my mother lace up her running shoes daily that I could copy her movements well enough to make it work for me. 

She said to start with a basic knot. That was something I knew how to do by then. She would tell me to make one bunny ear and loop a lace in her pinched fingers. Like this, she would say. 

Remember the first time you cooked a meal? You might have been working alongside your parents or living alone for the first time. You might have balanced your phone against the toaster long enough to watch a video recipe. You rewound the clip several times to ensure you were stirring just right. You tried hard to copy exactly how your teacher chopped, diced, and minced. 

The first time was hard. The second time was easier. By the twentieth time you’ve made spaghetti sauce, you don’t have to check the recipe. 

Humans can teach and learn virtually any skill with spoken instructions and visual cues. This innate learning style is why most people’s first stop for a new skill is YouTube.

Digital marketing courses litter YouTube, but any questions you have go unanswered. Glass Cactus Marketing [link to about page] can fill the educational gaps seen sometimes with in-person, real-time feedback. 

Cactus Connect

Cactus Connect is a face-to-face digital marketing and social advertising workshop led by field experts that will get you measurable results. This workshop is where you meet other dedicated business owners making moves in the online advertising space. 

Our team believes in the “empathetic art” of in-person, authentic teaching and skill-sharing. Some of the cutting-edge skills taught at our upcoming Cactus Connect event include:

1. The ins and out of social media advertising: Take it from us – running a successful social media campaign is no walk in the park. We have seen the highs, mediums, and lows of running digital ads and can use that history to spare you of roadblocks we’ve since gotten over. Glass Cactus Marketing experts have the tools, know-how, and experience to get you ahead of the starting line. Skip the “not-knowing” phase and enter the “I’ve got this” phase. 
2. Hands-on social media advertisement creation: Attendance at Cactus Connect guarantees a real-life digital ad lesson in our state-of-the-art partner podcasting studio. [link to podcasting page] After our workshop, attendees will film an actual podcast-style reel video to post later. Glass Cactus Marketing will edit the clips and add subtitles reflecting your brand colors. Walk away with new tools in your toolbelt and actual content to share. 
3. How to build lasting connections with like-minded entrepreneurs: The hardest part of opening any dialogue is breaking the ice. We know the keys to any good conversation are the right ideas, motivated people, and good food – all of which we’ll have in spades. Our team will facilitate discussion to get the ball rolling. With GCM on your side, Cactus Connect is the place for business owners looking to expand their network sustainably. 
4. Effective collaborative learning: Not only do you leave Cactus Connect with new knowledge and postable content, but you also gain additional experience by watching your peers learn and create. Like the meerkats, we learn best by repeated visual examples. We know from seeing and doing. 

Why In-Person Learning Still Wins in a Digital World

Online courses and tutorials have their place — but there’s no replacement for being in the room. At Cactus Connect, you’ll feel the difference that live teaching makes. You’ll be able to pause, ask a question, get an answer, and immediately apply that knowledge with expert guidance. That’s something a YouTube comment section can’t provide.

When we learn in person:

• We retain more because we’re engaged on multiple levels — physically, visually, socially, and emotionally.
• We gain confidence through shared experience. Watching someone else figure it out reminds us that we can, too.
• We make real-world connections, not just digital ones — and those connections can lead to referrals, friendships, and even business deals.

At Glass Cactus Marketing, we believe real education is reciprocal. It’s a two-way exchange built on trust, attention, and empathy. Cactus Connect isn’t just about lectures or notes — it’s about doing.

What You’ll Walk Away With at Cactus Connect

Cactus Connect is intentionally designed to be more than a learning moment — it’s a momentum builder. Attendees leave with:

• Custom-edited video content that’s ready to post
• Hands-on experience with social ad tools
• Peer support and feedback
• Expanded local and digital networks
• Clarity and confidence about what to do next

Whether you’re starting from scratch or scaling fast, this experience meets you where you’re at.

Final Thought: Learning Is Instinct — Mastery Is a Choice

We’re wired to learn. That’s why we watch, mimic, test, and improve from childhood on. But mastery? Mastery takes guidance, repetition, and courage.

If you're ready to stop second-guessing your digital strategy and start taking real action, Cactus Connect is your next step.

Join us, and let’s learn the way nature intended — together on Thursday, July 17. 6pm-9pm.