Lessons Learned on Leadership and Transformation from Nature
Nature never fails to teach us life lessons in all ways, shapes, and forms. Just like the natural world adapts to constant changes, so should our organizations. When it comes to organizational leadership, transformational opportunities can be created through the simplest of adventures with family and friends.
In a recent article from Art Petty, he discusses a recent landscape transformation project that he and his wife have taken up on the grounds of their Northwoods lake property and details how the experience parallels with organizationally transforming a workplace.
Some of the most enlightening takeaways include:
1. Don’t confuse vision with form
Start with an important, overarching vision that inspires those in your organization; but don’t make it a stagnant, final framework – things inevitably change over time.
2. Find and engage people who will bring the vision of life
Hire people who help progress the overarching vision you have created in your organization.
3. Engage all stakeholders; especially the ones who don’t have a voice
Make sure everyone’s voice is heard as you undergo a transformation in your organization to ensure that a change is truly positively impacting all stakeholders involved.
4. Don’t be afraid to make a mess
Any type of restructuring for your organization requires a stage that is overall unorganized and chaotic. Trust the process - in the end something more beneficial and efficient will come out of it.
5. Ensure the transformation melds with the surrounding environment
The most successful organizational transformations work when finding a way to blend new ideas and talent with the overall environment; incorporating important elements like legacy strengths and passion.
6. Embrace the heavy lifting
When leading organizational transformation, you don’t get to sit back and supervise. It’s essential to jump in and feel the pains from the work and then observe the results of your effort.
7. Adapt to obstacles and try wild ideas
Failures create opportunities. Try new ideas in your organization and be adaptable to obstacles that come your way.
As leaders, it’s our duty to create, enhance, and embrace new opportunities – and inspiration – from all aspects of our lives.