Summertime is in full bloom and for many of us that means lots of time spent in our vegetable gardens. If you enjoy working in the outdoors as much as I do, you likely spend an inordinate amount of time around your home doing everything from planting to weeding to positioning (think long, meandering vine plants like tomatoes and squash) and picking / harvesting.
My time outside gives me much opportunity to think and reflect. With so much of my professional energy focused on leadership, I invariably consider applications from the garden to the workplace. After all, leadership also demands tons of care and consideration to make sure that each individual, team and organization is growing in synchrony and to their fullest potential.
Here is a list of leadership lessons that I believe work in our veggie gardens can teach us.
- Prepare the soil – For seeds to properly germinate, they need to loose soil. This is particularly true for plants that produce underground yields such as carrots and potatoes. But between disuse and harsh weather conditions, earth becomes hard and compressed over the winter. Wise gardeners know that taking the time to properly loosen their soil will have a positive long-term impact on their crop. Preparation is also required for leaders who seek to help their people grow properly. When the workplace “soil” is cultivated through a mix of strong relationships and a “loose” environment that minimizes stress and allows for (if not celebrates) risk-taking, people can confidently spread out and produce great results.
