Leadership Lesson As in The Money Tree

Did you ever have a money tree that died? Yes,I did. I had a money tree that I bought and couldn't keep it alive. I am embarrassed to say that I have had 2-3 of them and many other plants that I  could never keep alive.

This year  I decided to buy a new one. This time it was different. I said to myself I am going to do everything I can to keep this plant alive! What matters at the end of it is that we believe in what we do.

I started to think about the phase of my life when I had those money trees and other plants. What transitions were happening inside me? What was I doing that was causing the plants to die?

The first thing I have always said about plants is I don’t have a green thumb. I can’t take care of a plant. I actually have too much to take care of. I can’t keep a plant alive. If I can’t take care of a plant how will I ever be able to invite more of anything in my life?

I can unpack this statement for a month! If I am honest with myself it had nothing to do with having a green thumb. I was not allowing anything into my life. I was so overwhelmed because I refused to let go of my business and pay attention to what was in front of me. I was not allowing my staff to step up and make important decisions that they were fully capable of making. I was not allowing them to fully and I mean fully take responsibility and accountability for their roles.

When I couldn't go into my business anymore, due to my health,  I realized I have to delegate. Hire people that are better than I am in different areas of my business and learn how to communicate better off-site. All this so I can take care of my money plant! That will be the true test. If my plant starts to die I know I have too much on my plate.

When I went to South Carolina to visit my sister my plants suffered! This was a communication lesson I learned from my money plant. I left for South Carolina,  excited to spend time with my sisters. I was gone for 5 days and upon my return, I looked at my sad plants shriveled up and starving! My first reaction was, why didn’t anyone take care of my plants? And then my daughter said, “you never asked!” As I stood there, mad because I am trying my best to take care of my plants, I realized she was 100% true. I never delegated the task of feeding my plants!

This  may seem small, but my mentor Paul Martinelli  taught me “how we do anything is how we do everything.” And I understand the lessons from my plant have a lot to do with my behaviors and habits in my life.

1. Take care of what you have first so you can make room for more. 
2. Communicate and delegate specific details of what your needs are. 
3. Your words and beliefs matter -” I am good at caring for my plants!”  

What are your plants telling you?