Mimic Octopus

The mimic octopus impersonates at least 15 different species - lionfish, flatfish, sea snakes, jellyfish - selecting its disguise based on the predator it's facing. Against damselfish, it becomes a banded sea snake (damselfish predator). Against other threats, it flattens into a flatfish or fans arms like a lionfish. This isn't random shape-shifting; it's strategic selection of context-appropriate disguises.

The mimicry requires coordination between central strategy and distributed execution. The brain must recognize the threat, recall which disguise deters it, and select that strategy. The arms must then execute complex shape and movement patterns - lionfish fin spread, sea snake swimming undulation - through distributed control. Strategy is centralized; execution is distributed. The combination enables rapid, appropriate, complex responses.

For business, mimic octopus demonstrates strategic positioning with distributed execution. The organization (brain) selects market positioning, brand identity, or competitive response. Teams (arms) execute through coordinated but locally-controlled actions. A company facing a price competitor might 'become' a premium brand; facing a quality competitor might emphasize value. The strategic selection is central; the execution across product, marketing, sales, and service is distributed. Success requires both good strategic selection and coordinated distributed execution.