Today’s Tuesday Reading is from Danielle Gunkel, Product Manager at the University of California Office of the President and a MOR Leadership programs alum. Danielle may be reached at [email protected] or via LinkedIn.
Leadership growth and development don’t happen all at once. Like gardening, it requires the right conditions, consistent attention, and a long-term perspective. The most effective leaders understand that growth is not forced, it’s cultivated.
Last week we celebrated the first day of spring. I’ve been a gardener for many years, but it’s only recently that I’ve come to see how deeply the leadership lessons on growth I’ve learned correlate to the tending of plants in my garden. Gardening is not about grand gestures; it’s about small, intentional actions taken consistently over time. Pulling weeds before they take over. Adjusting watering based on the weather. Adding fertilizer at the right time. Each of these actions might seem minor on its own, but together they create the conditions for healthy, thriving growth. Leadership, I’ve realized, works much the same way.
What Does Leadership Growth Actually Require?
In the past, I believed leadership was about visible impact: big moves, decisive actions, bold plans. But what I’ve come to understand is that the quiet, behind-the-scenes work is just as important. Just like a garden doesn’t bloom overnight, progress in an organization takes time. You can put in energy, thought, and care, and still not see the results right away. That’s not a sign of failure – it’s part of the process. As with gardening, leadership often requires patience, trust, and a deep understanding that growth is happening, even if it’s not immediately visible.
There have been times when I’ve felt like not much was changing, even when I was doing everything “right.” But I’ve learned to stay the course, checking in with my team regularly, creating space for honest conversations, giving feedback thoughtfully, and staying present even in the quiet seasons. These small leadership actions don’t always result in immediate breakthroughs, but over time, they lay the groundwork for meaningful transformation.
How Leaders Can Cultivate Long-Term Growth
One of the most powerful lessons from the garden is how much can come from very little. A seed, a bit of soil, some water. That’s all it takes to begin. And with steady care and attention, that seed becomes something strong, fruitful, and sustaining. I see that in my leadership journey, too. I’ve started with a few small changes – more deliberate one-on-ones, slowing down to reflect, and learning to pause before reacting, recognizing and nurturing potential in others. These actions may seem simple, but they help foster a culture where trust, collaboration, and growth can flourish.
Just as I’ve learned to respect the rhythms of a garden – the slow build, the quiet groundwork – I’m learning to lead with that same kind of intentionality. Leadership, like gardening, isn’t about control. It’s about creating the right environment, doing the small things well, and allowing space for growth to unfold. That’s the kind of leader I want to be – one who cultivates, tends, and trusts in the long-term process.
Leadership growth and development is not about quick wins or immediate results. It’s about consistency, awareness, and the willingness to invest over time. Like any well-tended garden, the impact compounds—shaping not just individual leaders, but the organizations they serve.
What is one small, consistent action you find most enhances your ability to lead?
Last week, we asked about the greatest risk when leaders lead with assumptions instead of inquiry:
- 29% said missed results
- 29% said fractured trust
- 27% said stifled culture
- 15% said eroding credibility
Results, trust, and culture. The relatively even response to each of these suggests the multifaceted impact of assuming rather than inquiring. What is a small, consistent seed you can cultivate in your habit repertoire to enable greater inquiry?