Like Water to a Lily

I am no plant aficionado. Matter of fact, I would much sooner volunteer to pet-sit a parrot than to take responsibility for someone’s “green companion”. That said, I can certainly appreciate the place that plants have in our ecosystem, but if it doesn’t feed me, then it will likely suffer at my hand.

That is likely why I did not notice the drooping peace lily that laid at the entry way to our office, and I probably would have never noticed if it wasn’t for one of my colleagues. We had gathered for a team huddle in the office foyer and noticed that the plant in the corner had fallen flat. Though the leaves were green, not one of them was standing – or even indicating a desire to reach towards the light. They were all prostrate and listless, doing nothing to beautify the meeting space we were in

The next couple of minutes spent in light banter as said colleague went on to describe the Peace Lily as "one of the most dramatic plants ever!" Apparently, this specific botanical specimen was also known to respond to watering in a magical way.

I can’t exactly say why, but that little factoid sank into my subconscious a little bit.

And so, the next day I walked into the office, noticed the plant was still flat,  and decided to test the tidbit that I heard before.

(gulp) I watered the plant!

This was a big deal for me, for all the reasons that I mentioned in the paragraphs above, but I wanted to prove (or disprove) the hypothesis on the floor.

Well wouldn't you know it?! The following morning I entered the office and the plant actually looked a little better. So excited was I that I instantly grabbed a jug and poured more water into the pot. By the time I was done and leaving at the end of day, the peace lily was looking 300 times better than it was just 48 hours prior. I had to stop and grab a pic for the sake of posterity (see thumbnail pic).

I was really impressed!

This reminded me of chapter 7 of my book (available on amazon here) where I shared lessons learned from trees in the winter. Lush canopies that spent three seasons providing food, nesting opportunity, shade, and oxygen, go into a period where they become a shadow of their former selves. Many of us see this and are impacted by it, because we have become accustomed to the cycle, and we know that in a few months – when the time and conditions are right – the trees will return to their usual awe-inspiring selves.

What if we were to extend that same mindset to our daily interactions? What if we were to view our organizations as forests where each tree - each plant - does its share to maintain the environment?

Would we be more tolerant, then, of those who may be “losing their leaves”? You know – the ones who don’t smile as much as they used to, or is not performing like before. What if we recognized those persons as the ones who are going through their ‘winter’?

The truth is that a plant will not regrow its leaves because you shout at it or threaten to cut it down. Only when the seasons change – when the conditions become favorable – will the true potential of that plant resurface.

The leader who recognizes the changing seasons of their team and knows how to create that kind of condition for the team members will enjoy a vibrant and rich atmosphere.

Do you know someone who is withering? Someone who, for whatever reason, is looking like only a shadow of their former selves? Don't give up on them, and don't be too quick to 'throw them out'. Give them some 'water' - some kind words, encouragement, a listening ear, a soft shoulder - something to fuel their soul.

Who knows? You may have just what is needed to bring them back to life, back to their glorious selves. Take a shot! Prove the hypothesis on the floor!

-Sheldon B.