Kakhi Jordania is a master falconer, conservationist, and cultural leader from Tbilisi, Georgia, whose life bridges ancient wisdom and modern innovation. His journey began at ten years old when he watched a golden eagle dive near the cliffs of Kazbegi — a moment that shaped his purpose. While others chased city life, Kakhi devoted his youth to studying raptors, sketching their movements, and learning from local hunters and his grandfather, who taught him patience and respect for the natural world.
He began formal training as a falconer in his teens, apprenticing in eastern Georgia, and later travelled across Central Asia, the Middle East, and Mongolia to study different falconry traditions. Each experience helped him master not just the skill, but the philosophy behind it — balance, humility, and trust.
By his thirties, Kakhi founded the Caucasus Raptor Conservation Initiative (CRCI), combining cultural heritage with science to protect endangered raptors. Under his leadership, CRCI has rehabilitated over 400 birds and collaborated with UNESCO to preserve Georgian falconry as an element of global cultural heritage.
He is also the author of Wings of the Caucasus, a memoir exploring the relationship between humanity and the wild. Through his work, Kakhi Jordania has become a global example of how passion, discipline, and vision can turn tradition into a lasting legacy. His approach to success is grounded in simplicity: build trust, stay patient, and always lead with purpose.
Q&A With Kakhi Jordania
How do you define success in your own life?
For me, success is not about titles or wealth. It’s about harmony. In falconry, you learn quickly that control is an illusion. The true measure of success is when a wild bird chooses to return to your glove. That moment represents trust. In life and in business, success feels the same — it’s when people, ideas, or teams return to you because they trust your leadership.
You’ve built a career blending ancient traditions with modern science. What drove that approach?
I’ve always believed old knowledge still has a place in modern progress. When I travelled through Mongolia and the Middle East, I realised that the same values that guided falconers centuries ago — patience, respect, consistency — are what drive innovation today. I wanted to merge those worlds. My conservation work does that by combining traditional falconry with technology like satellite tracking.
What’s one lesson from falconry that applies to success in business?
Consistency. A falcon responds to steady behaviour. If you’re impatient or distracted, the bird senses it and won’t trust you. Teams and projects are no different. They need reliability and calm leadership. Success comes from doing small, deliberate actions every day.
What habits have helped you stay disciplined and productive?
I wake early, often before sunrise. The first hours of light are sacred — I feed the birds and prepare for the day. Routine brings clarity. I also write or sketch every day, even if only for a few minutes. Putting thoughts on paper turns ideas into something real.
What’s one failure that shaped your success?
Early in my career, I lost a falcon during a demonstration. It was devastating. But a week later, the bird returned. That experience reminded me that sometimes things need freedom to find their way back. It changed how I lead — I give people and projects space to grow.
Many people define success through recognition or awards. How do you view yours?
I appreciate them — the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Advocate recognition, the Global Conservation Award — but those are outcomes, not goals. My true success is seeing young people in Georgia learning about falconry, or a rehabilitated eagle flying free again. Those moments last longer than any trophy.
What advice would you give someone chasing success?
Don’t confuse motion with progress. The world rewards speed, but real growth takes time. Whether you’re building a business, a craft, or a life, move with purpose, not pressure.
You’ve worked internationally — how do you manage cross-cultural collaboration?
By listening first. In every culture I’ve visited, from Mongolia to the UAE, falconry begins with observation. You watch the bird before you act. I take the same approach in business and partnerships — understand before you lead.
What keeps you motivated after decades of work?
Curiosity. There’s always something new to learn — a new migration route to track, a new way to teach conservation. Success, to me, isn’t a finish line. It’s a continual process of refinement.
If you could give your younger self advice, what would it be?
Be patient with your dreams. When I was young, I wanted everything to happen quickly — to train the perfect bird, to publish a book, to make an impact. But the best results often come from stillness and time. I’d tell him, “Slow down — the flight will come.”
What’s one thing you believe about success that most people don’t?
That success is quiet. It’s not loud or showy. The most powerful things I’ve achieved have happened in silence — a falcon landing on my glove, a student finally understanding the value of conservation. Success doesn’t need applause to be meaningful.
Key Learnings
- True success is built on trust, patience, and consistency — not speed or control.
- Ancient values like respect and observation still drive modern innovation.
- Routine and mindfulness foster clarity, creativity, and discipline.
- Failure can lead to deeper understanding if you give space for recovery.
- Success often happens quietly — in moments of trust, connection, and purpose.