One of the activities we use in our Connect Strategic Leadership programme is based on the idea that 🌱growing a plant is a lot like growing a team. 👥
When we first introduced it, we were hesitant. It felt a bit “school classroom” and we wondered if professional leaders would roll their eyes.
But over the years, we’ve realised something important: learning that is interactive, fun and meaningful has impact at every age and every stage. In fact, leaders often need these reminders the most.
This week, our Graduates had to dig deeper than ever… because the seeds they were given were complete duds! (Unintentionally at first, but then we decided not to intervene.)
We had changed the seed type, making it almost impossible to nurture anything substantial in three weeks.
And the outcome?
Much like 2025 - a year that has stretched so many leaders to keep their teams engaged, positive and creative in tough conditions - this group leaned into the moment.
They applied intentional leadership, tested their own thinking, experimented, failed, tried again - and although they didn’t end up with perfect bean plants, they did walk away with powerful insights, renewed resilience, and a deeper understanding of what it truly takes to grow something (or someone) when conditions aren’t ideal.
Comments