Lessons from a Tree
“Vision without action is merely a dream.
Action without vision just passes the time.
Vision with action can change the world.”
Joel Barker
In our neighborhood last week we lost a lot of trees and limbs to some straight-line winds during a storm. In these turbulent times it can seem like we are also just willows in the wind—tossing with the next storm trying to keep our roots in the ground. Sometimes we are afraid to put out our branches for fear they will be broken off.
And yet, there are trees that go on to survive. I stopped to talk to a neighbor who had a willow tree severely damaged in the ice storm we had two winters ago. By the time they cut off all the branches that had broken, I wouldn’t have given you two cents for its survival. However, it has grown back and looks better than ever. We wondered if another tree that was severely damaged in last week’s storm will prosper as well.
The quote at the top of this article is relevant to the way we return to prosperity and productivity following difficult circumstances. We have to have a vision of what our businesses and our lives will look like after we recover. Just as a good tree service will prune the damaged tree properly for it to grow again; we must decide what we want our organizations to look like. Do you want to be a bigger stronger company or a smaller more agile company? Will you change your products or services depending on the demand? What kind of employees will help you achieve your vision?
Whether you are a department head or the CEO you have control over your vision. Most importantly, you, the leader, must make your vision known and take action to make it happen. There needs to be regular communication about the steps you are taking and how others can get involved to help. Empower people by giving them information and responsibility for action. Engage their commitment by rewarding accomplishment and weeding out non-producers. Support new thought leaders and encourage idea sharing.
I think good leaders help their organization grow and be resilient by being strategic about placement of resources. Make sure the resources support in the right places at the right times. Regular and frequent communication will help you know whether you are being successful at that. Like the tree that sprouts new branches, be on the lookout for new growth that needs to be supported. With nourishment, those limbs can become strong to help support the tree. Without nourishment, they are spindly and break off at the next storm. And, some branches should not be allowed to grow because they will sap the tree’s strength.
There is an old negative expression that goes, “Make like a tree and leave.” I suggest that it might become a good thing by saying, “Make like a tree and leaf.” Stimulate new growth systematically to achieve your vision and your future might be more secure by having the support it needs to weather the next storm.
