Lead Like a Gardener
Leadership is a lot like gardening. Both demand flexibility, foresight, and patience. But how often do we talk about the weeds, the weather, and the art of making the most of what grows?
As a global executive and cultural strategist, I’ve come to appreciate how leadership mirrors the rhythms of nature. Here’s how we can think about gardening principles to inspire management, leadership, and innovation:
1. The weather isn’t yours to control—but your response is.
Market shifts, unexpected challenges, or sudden opportunities can feel like storms or sunny days. Great leaders pivot when conditions allow.
- Example: I advise organizations to act swiftly on moments of openness in their teams’ thinking—unlocking creative breakthroughs during mergers or major change initiatives.
2. Plan before you dig—but expect the unexpected.
Preparation is critical, but no amount of planning prevents surprises. It’s about mitigating risks, not avoiding them entirely.
- Insight: Companies like Apple excel here, testing prototypes rigorously before launch while accepting that iteration post-launch is inevitable.
- In my work designing innovation strategies, I’ve always emphasized cultural insight to avoid “digging up” key organizational blind spots—like unseen biases or resource gaps.
3. Weeds will come—define them carefully.
Not every problem needs uprooting, and not every “weed” is a bad thing. Some challenges or team dynamics, when reframed, become strengths in the right context.
- Example: Ornamental grasses are weeds in some gardens but prized in others. Similarly, a team member seen as a disruptor in one environment may become an innovator in another. The trick is knowing how to assess the context and adapt.
4. Hydrate your team and ensure they get sunlight.
People can’t thrive on productivity metrics alone. Ensure your team has resources, recognition, and room to grow.
- Companies like Patagonia emphasize team wellbeing, giving employees autonomy and support to flourish creatively. This same ethos guided my work at K11, fostering environments where designers and strategists were empowered to innovate.
5. Be patient, but act when the moment is right.
Leadership, like gardening, isn’t a race. Growth takes time. Patience allows for trust-building, and trust enables bold action when opportunity strikes.
Let’s start a conversation: What “gardening” principles have helped you grow as a leader—or helped your team thrive?