Recently, while sitting with a friend, our conversation turned to gardening. All manner of plants. Flowers, bushes, trees and veges. We shared what has been planted and doing well. And not so well. At one point, I mentioned the garden looks better this year in certain areas. The reason, I contended, was one must be patient with a garden’s growth. It can take up to two years before you see the benefit…the fruit of the labor.
Then it hit me. How similar was this statement in another conversation with a client about implementing major change within their company. The two years had parallel meaning. My experience in implementing a thing (culture formation) suggested time is needed before the full extent of the desired outcome is seen. Really seen as second nature behavior.
I began thinking about what I have to do with and for my garden…what has to done to enjoy fruit. I looked at my garden and saw my team. I saw what was required of me as gardener, as manager and leader to provide to get the most out of something that matters.
So I considered seven things. Seven things that make up my mindset and action. Things to help my garden grow.
Tilling: Over time untended soil gets hard. It develops a sunbaked, weathered crust. Companies can suffer a similar reality. Although it can appear like a violent disruption, tilling prepares the soil for planting. It loosens and opens up. It allows the soil to be exposed to new growth.
Planting: The gardener knows better than to just throw seeds here and there. Careful thought and planning is put into action. Consideration of how much or how little sunlight is needed. Rocks removed and soil prepared. Certain plants go well together and some need space to grow. Companies must be forward thinking as they sow. Things like needs, necessities, expectations and relationships.
Sunning: In a word, photosynthesis. While for plants it is a necessary chemical reaction, companies also need a necessary source. Call it a vision. Call it core values. Call it the core that all things go through that gives purpose, direction and strength in growth.
Watering: Gardeners.com answers the question “how do you water plants?” with “by paying attention”. You can tell when a plant needs water. The droopy leaves and drawn composure. Team members can look like that. Ultimately it depends when and how much. The key is when it’s needed, take your time and get it to the roots.
Fertilizing: Watering is not enough. Fertilizer is important for healthy, vigorous plant growth and development. Especially a supply of three primary nutrients — nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Maybe not as often as watering, timely application stimulates the plants. Team members need shots of things like coaching, collaboration and recognition.
Pruning: Cutting away is essential to the overall health of the plant. Whether it is ripe fruit which needs to be enjoyed elsewhere or the dead and dying which needs to go away, it is not easy to cut away that which you love. Your company, your team requires a manager and leader who encourages growth by eliminating things that hinder, take away and stifle their wellbeing.
Harvesting: There will always be the time, the season to gather and to harvest. We reap what we sow. We get what we nurtured. The quality of our fruit is proportional to the amount of time and effort we placed into our garden. And the reality is, we don’t always get fruit right away or the best fruit. It may take time. This is where we started.
I look at my garden. I reflect and remember how little was yielded at first. How stark the fruit. And with the right heart and mind, embrace that the garden gave me its best at that time. It wasn’t done. It wasn’t “there” yet. I had to be patient. And diligent and not give up on the possibility of the plants.
Invest in your team. Passionately toil for them. The fruit will follow.
Show me your garden and I shall tell you what you are.
Alfred Austin