Be a Gerdener

As spring approaches, my weekends are about to get busier. My wife is a passionate gardener, which means I get to help with the heavy lifting. Whether it’s planting new flowers, trimming bushes, pulling weeds, or turning the soil, there’s always something that needs doing.

Last Saturday, I found myself kneeling in the dirt, carefully turning soil around a row of new seedlings. My wife stood nearby, gently guiding me. “Not too close to the stems,” she cautioned. “They need room to breathe and grow on their own.”

As I watched her work and the way she assessed each plant’s needs, removed obstacles without disturbing roots, provided support without constraining growth, a realization washed over me. This wasn’t just gardening. This was a masterclass in leadership.

“You know,” I said, wiping soil from my hands, “you’re doing exactly what great leaders do.”

She looked up, eyebrows raised. “Digging in dirt?”

“Creating the perfect conditions for growth, then getting out of the way.”

The connection has stayed with me ever since. In my years of working with executives, I’ve seen how the most effective leaders operate just like skilled gardeners.

Consider James, a CEO I worked with last year. His company was struggling talented people were leaving, innovation had stalled, and morale was sinking. His instinct was to implement stricter controls and more oversight.

“Before you add more structure,” I suggested, “let’s figure out what’s preventing natural growth.”

We discovered that creativity was being choked by unnecessary processes. Team members lacked clarity about the bigger vision. Resources were distributed unevenly some areas were overwatered while others were parched.

When James shifted his approach from controlling to cultivating, the transformation was remarkable. Rather than forcing outcomes, he focused on creating the right environment. He cleared bureaucratic weeds. He ensured resources flowed where needed. He provided support structures without imposing rigid frameworks.

Within months, his team was flourishing. Problems were being solved without his intervention. Innovation emerged organically. The energy in the organization shifted from survival to growth.

I’ve seen this pattern repeat across industries. When leaders stop trying to force growth through sheer will and instead focus on cultivating the right conditions, something magical happens. People naturally stretch toward their potential, just as plants naturally reach for sunlight.

Back in my garden, as I watch tiny seedlings transform into vibrant plants, I’m reminded of this truth: The most beautiful gardens and the most successful teams aren’t manufactured. They’re cultivated through patient attention, thoughtful care, and a profound respect for natural growth processes.

Leadership isn’t about control, it’s about cultivation. If you invest the time to care for your team with the mindfulness of a gardener, they’ll grow into something truly extraordinary.

What weeds might you need to pull? What support structures could you provide? Where might you need to simply step back and let natural growth occur?

The Future is now

Jesus (Jes) Vargas is the Principal at DPMG Corp in Sacramento, CA. Jes and his team consult, coach and mentor business leaders in areas such as strategic planning, leadership development and Lean Thinking deployment. If you are concerned that there is not enough long-term strategic thinking going on in your organization, Jes can help. Call Jes at 916 712 6145. Or you can email him here.