June 19, 2023

Below is a lesson from Forbes on developing deep roots for leadership success, as well as our key learnings.

The Blue Courage team is dedicated to continual learning and growth.  We have adopted a concept from Simon Sinek’s Start With Why team called “Learn, Share, Grow”.  We are constantly finding great articles, videos, and readings that have so much learning.  As we learn new and great things, this new knowledge should be shared for everyone to then grow from.

Developing Deep Roots For Leadership Success

Brent Daub 

Jun 1, 2023,07:00am EDT

As a leader of a national team, I sometimes picture the workplace as a forest. A company’s leaders are the tall, sturdy oaks that have stood the test of time. They’ve developed strong, deep roots that provide stability and growth even through the harshest storms.

But like every forest, every company has some weeds. Employees like this are often selfish and don’t take the time to develop deep roots. They shoot up quickly and grab whatever resources they can to get a share of the sunlight, even if it means strangling the plants around them. Weeds are ambitious, but they take nutrients from the soil without giving much back. They are here today and gone tomorrow.

I like this forest analogy because it speaks so well to rootedness, which is essential to developing your career and leadership potential. 

Continue Reading Here.

Key Learnings:

• Like in a forest, companies have employees who develop deep roots like a tall oak tree, and others are like weeds who are ambitions, but shoot up quickly and grab whatever resources they can, taking nutrients from the soil without giving much back.
• Those that don't take time to plant roots at a company never really grow as a leader or a person. That short-term mindset can hurt you in the long run.
• At times taking a new position is the right thing to do -- but consider more than just the salary and bonus potential. Think about whether the position will allow you to develop the deep roots that will support you long tern.
• Personal habits that cultivate leadership (accelerate bother personal and professional growth):
  • Strive for consistent quality - aim for 100% always. Develop a reputation for doing it right the first time.
  • Be the reliable, trusted resource - your supervisors or clients should know assignments and projects will be handled to the best of your ability without needing to be micromanaged or babysat. If there is something you are not sure about they trust you will ask the questions.
  • Respond immediately - Always respond in a timely fashion to calls, emails and texts even if you do not have an answer yet. 
• If you are looking to advance as a leader, as yourself if you are a tree or a weed! Everyone starts out as a sapling, but it's up to you whether you turn into that sturdy oak.