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In high stakes, high standard environments. The pressure to cultivate immediate results can be immense. We're bombarded with images of overnight success, and lagging behind feels like failure.
But what if true leadership, like a thriving lawn, is less about instant gratification and more about cultivating the conditions for long-term growth?
In this issue I’m going to share how insights from our lawn care specialists left me reflecting on how I approach both life and leadership.
Getting to the Root of It
My wife and I couldn’t understand why the approach we were taking to care for our lawn was so effective in the back yard while having minimal impact on the state of our front yard. It just didn’t make sense. If anything we put more effort into the front yard.
Frustrated, we finally bit the bullet and called in a pro to help us.
After walking him through our dilemma and him asking a couple intake questions, to him, the issue was obvious.
He said, “Given the age of your house it’s very likely they sodded the front yard and sowed seed in the back yard and when grass grows from seed in place it develops a deeper, more established root system… This can lead to a healthier lawn overall, better resistant to drought and erosion.”
To a new home owner, sodding offers a seemingly perfect solution – pre-grown turf laid down for instant results. A green carpet graces your yard, but those short term gains often come at the sacrifice of long term durability.
Seeding, on the other hand, is a patient process. You meticulously prepare the soil, sow seeds, and wait for them to sprout, nurturing their growth into a deep-rooted, resilient lawn.
The Quick Wins Paradox
There is a lot of pressure on leaders to prove they have what it takes to get the job done quickly. This pressure is most notable when transitioning into new roles, relationships, or environments.
Paradoxically, the relentless pursuit of a quick win is what ultimately prevents new leaders from benefiting from it.
Research shows that within the first two years of a transition, 2 out of 5 fall short of the high expectations their organizations had set for them.
In our eagerness to prove much we opt for expedited approaches that result in us learning little.
By choosing to lay sod we unwittingly forfeit the opportunities to gain a deeper understanding of the process, develop ourselves, and our teams.
Rooted for Success
Sowing seed, in contrast, embodies a deeper, more methodical journey towards the desired results.
It's about nurturing curiosity, embracing challenges, and learning from failures. You recognize transitions as opportunities to grow yourself and develop a robust foundation for lifelong learning.
Great leaders understand the importance of care and patience. They nurture their teams, invest in their growth, and create an environment where they can flourish.
Sometimes, immediate results are necessary. But for building a sustainable and high-performing team, sowing is the key.
Embrace the slow and steady approach.
Provide the right conditions, empower your team, and watch as they sprout into more resilient humans that are built to last.