Roots and Wings

Anyone who has worked in a garden or on a farm knows the importance of developing a strong root system if vegetables and crops are to yield any harvest. It is not uncommon for gardeners and farmers alike to thin the rows by removing some plants, thus allowing the remaining ones to gain more nutrients and grow deeper roots. On the farm where I grew up this process was sometimes performed by groundhogs and other vermin, whose motives were far less altruistic.

Many of our prominent leaders seem oblivious to the character flaws that prevent them from realizing their full potential. Like the garden metaphor they would benefit from some judicious pruning, not to make them perfect but to simply allow their strengths to emerge and grow deeper. Every person in a leadership role would do well to offer negative constructive feedback, when needed, as a kind of “thinning of the row” so employees can learn and prosper from their mistakes. Our roots as leaders need to run deeply if we are to endure challenges and emerge strong and healthy.

Likewise leaders need to lift the spirits of those they serve, allowing them the freedom to soar on their own wings to heights they can only imagine. A central theme of leadership is captured in how one inspires others. Far too many leaders continue a reliance on fear and control as the primary method of supervision. This approach does little to instill confidence or invite risk-taking by those we serve. A bird’s first flight may require a gentle nudge out of the nest but is mostly the result of growing strong enough to make the attempt and having a role model to illustrate how it is done.

If our workplaces fail to support the growth of young leaders by providing regular feedback, meaningful praise, or strong mentors we can expect the moral roots of these persons to be shallow and ill prepared for the difficulties of today’s business environment. Without the opportunity to test their talents and skills through meaningful projects and challenging assignments, those same budding leaders will never learn to soar on their own strong wings.

The paradox of roots and wings offers worthy guidance for leaders as they invest in the development of others. And there’s good news! No degrees in horticulture or aeronautics are required.