I realized that planting the garden is really the easy part. Usually the plants we put in are small, if not just seeds. They can be placed in the soil with nothing more that a pencil pushed into the ground to create the hole, and a quick brush of soil to cover the seed. It’s the preparation of the plot that takes the real work, and sometimes days to complete. Are we preparing our work environment for growth?

I need to water and fertilize my garden if I want to get the best results. Just as adding compost to the soil can get our garden off to a good start, are we adding enriching material to our teams? Are we offering them a chance to further their education in problem solving techniques, conflict management, and communication skills. Do you wish your organization offered this enrichment? Perhaps you can seek out enriching material for your team and suggest this training to your leadership team. Weed out as much negativity as you can so that optimism can take root and grow! Negativity left unaddressed will leave you and your team feeling defeated, overwhelmed, and your organization in chaos.

Like gardeners, leaders must keep daily watch over their team, and themselves, to stay clear of any uncertain forces that want to creep in. Are weeds going to pop up in my garden? Sure they are! Just like the many negative things in our environment that “pop up” and try to derail even the best intentions. That’s okay. Just like the occasional weed in my garden, I expect that. I also have a plan for that. I can limit the negative effects by creating a positive environment of optimism, clear vision, and continued development of my team that nourishes their growth, confidence, and unlimited imagination. As a leader I can prune the pessimism, the negative criticism, the belittling, the despair, and the indecision. As for my plans to get rid of the weeds in my garden, well, they grew up and moved out of the house. It looks like I’ll be pulling those myself.