We Reap What We Sow: Tending and Harvesting

(Image by congerdesign from Pixabay)

"We were planting seeds of change, the fruit of which we might never see." - Michelle Obama, "Becoming"

Undoubtedly you've heard the old adage, "We reap what we sow"? Good or bad, we may never know the results of our efforts.

Every stage of the process is critical and worthy of attention. Therefore, this will be a multi-part series using the leadership environment framework and a farming analogy. This is the last installment in our series (Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3).

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TENDING

So, the farmer has prepared the land  and has sowed the seeds. One might think it is up to the seed to do the rest. The journey has only just begun. Without assistance of the farmer and some help from Mother Nature, a seed may never reach harvest. Without water, a plant may shrivel up and die. Without proper nutrients, the plant may not grow or produce. Without proper weed or pest control, the plant may get choked out, become diseased and/or die. The farmer must be an active participant in the seeds growth and maturity and protect it as needed.

Like farmers, leaders are active participants in the development of their people. They are duty-bound to ensure their people are prepared for the future. Leaders track the progress of development and provide assistance as needed. They don't focus their efforts on one person only; they ensure all live and work in environments in which they can thrive.

Each person knows they are ultimately responsible for themself, but leaders support their people and let them know they are there for them. Even though leaders may have large "fields" to tend, each individual is vital to the prosperity of the whole. When one person is hurting, we all hurt. Leaders take care of their people and care about their well-being. No leader wants "one bad apple to spoil the whole bunch." No leader should ever let their people fail.

(Image by congerdesign from Pixabay)

HARVESTING

Once crops reach maturity, farmers reap what has been sown. With proper preparation, sowing, and tending, success is nearly achieved. However, just harvesting the crop is not enough. The most critical part of harvesting is to ensure the proper transition measures are taken to go from field to table (or storage).

With regard to leadership development, we cannot stress the transition process enough. We can attend leadership training after leadership training (any training for that matter); but if we do not transfer the knowledge we learned, we fall short of the mark. Much of the transition of knowledge into wisdom comes well after the class or event. A good leader understands that reflection and integration are key components to sustained results. Therefore, they subscribe to a life of learning and continual improvement. One might even say we never reach the harvest stage; we just keep growing and producing.

Unfortunately, there will be a time when a leader passes the baton to another. If leaders have done their jobs well, there will be a new crop of leaders ready to prepare, sow, tend and harvest.

CHALLENGE

I challenge you to look at your leadership development program. As a leader, are you doing everything possible to give your team members the best opportunity to thrive or are you creating an environment of weeds and drought? Are you nurturing a growth mindset that prepares members of your team to take your place? Are you looking out for all members and not a select few?

Lastly, realize that the fruits of your labors may never be seen. What matters most is that you cared for your people and their well-being!

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Pam McDonald is a writer/editor for BLM Wildland Fire Training and Workforce Development and member of the NWCG Leadership Subcommittee. The expressions are those of the author. Neutral pronouns were used.