Coal fired power plant 3
He’s not around anymore, but I still think of him more than periodically. His favorite poem, he reminded me every few seasons it seemed, was one by Joyce Kilmer that began:
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree …
Because he was a corporate man his working years, and because he was my dad, I was thinking this week, I wonder what business principles we might learn from something as “simple” as a tree. Here are just a few:
• There is value in diversity — There are approximately 7.4 billion people on our planet and around 3 trillion trees. As much as I love the flowering dogwood, the world would be boring if all we had was one species of tree. The Pin Oak, Scotch Pine, Norway S pruce, October Glory, Crimson Frost Birch — the list of varied and wonderful trees goes on and on, and each has its own unique beauty and benefits.
Similarly, world-class companies realize the intrinsic value in a diverse workplace by not planting in cubicles and corner offices people who all think alike and look alike. Instead, companies that want to really position themselves for future growth will proactively and intentionally seek out individuals with diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
• There is a season for everything — Any good landscape architect is acutely aware of the lifespan of every tree going into the ground and plans accordingly on every project. Likewise, an effective leader must keep a close watch on the life cycle of a campaign, team or any other component of the enterprise, and adjust resources and priorities as necessary.
• There is a need for fresh perspective — The old saying, “Can’t see the forest for the trees,” is of course an expression to describe someone who is too involved in the details of a problem to look at the situation as a whole. Sometimes something as simple as a brief walk in the woods will bring fresh perspective to a problem or an issue.
It’s important to get up and move around, visit different departments, and do things a little differently each day or week if we want to keep learning and growing. And sometimes it is essential to bring in others — consultants, mystery shoppers, anyone who might be able to view things from another angle, another perspective rather than those who have been at the organization for a while.
• There is benefit in simplicity — Malus Sylvestris. That’s the scientific name for the common Apple tree. Most folks wouldn’t have a clue what one is describing with that first name; however, most everyone can see, taste and feel the second example.
Organizations tend to make things overly complex to justify their existence or worth. Maybe that’s how come the federal tax code has grown to 74,608 pages; yet most individuals work best and are most effective when policies and guidelines just follow the KISS principle (Keep it Simple, Stupid).
• There is wisdom in humility — Poems are made by fools like me, But only God can make a tree.
This is how Kilmer ends his poem titled “Trees.” Similarly, it’s a good way to start and end each day knowing ultimately who really is in control, understanding what one is capable and not capable of doing. And as the Prayer of Serenity says, “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference.”
Even though it’s been nearly two decades since his passing, I realize some of my father’s greatest lessons he taught me were shared best by his quiet presence. And likewise, only now am I starting to see how much trees can teach us as they stand silently by, arms open wide, roots running deep.
Brian Horner is a company care leader with Marketplace Chaplains USA, an organization that provides workplace chaplains to corporate America. This employee-care program serves employees and their family members 24/7.
For more information, visit www. Mchapusa.com or call (800) 775-7657.
