Gardening and Leading

Gardening and Leading? I expect you're wondering what the possible connection could be. It came to me as I was puttering outside today, that the effort I put in last year in beginning to show - now! Much like leadership! I took great pains in the spring last year to add a top dressing of top quality fertilizer so my seeds would germinate and thrive. All summer long I watered, mulched, weeded and staked and the summer display of flowers, fruits and vegetables was astounding. I filled humming bird feeders, topped up the bird bath with fresh water and sat down occasionally to enjoy the beauty around me and in June I invited friends and family to a garden party to enjoy it all. Then in the fall I pruned, raked up leaves, cut back dead flowers and turned the pile of compost so I'd have some rich soil for my tubs and planters this spring. So now, here I am in February, looking at the Snowdrop, Peony and Helebore shoots poking through the soil, the birds emerging from the hedges to bathe in the small pools, and the fresh new leaves on the various climbers scrambling up the walls. Today I spent some time hoeing to remove small weeds before they got established and cause a big problem. This 'work' (actually enjoyment) is because I care. I want the end result to be spectacular, to give me satisfaction, to reap the rewards of my efforts.
Leadership is much the same. I have to care. I have to realise that my efforts will make a difference, small things add up and pay off - later. First, I need to prepare the environment for my employees to thrive (a healthy dose of optimism). I need to 'weed out' obstacles, provide 'stakes' to support them when they need my help. I need to pay attention, to tend to things as they become apparent before they become a major problem. As a leader I have to make sure the environment around my emplyoyees is healthy and safe (no pesticides or loose paving stones). If I do all of those things, regularly and consistently, I will be rewarded - in time - and it may take a while. Not everything in my garden grew to it's full size in one season. Leadership, like gardening, is a long term career, stick with it, do what needs to be done, and you will see the results of your efforts.