Wisdom from the Barnyard
Dairy cows provide two products, milk and manure. Both nurture growth.
I was nose blind to the aroma of cow manure growing up on the farm. Now it stinks.
The stuff that stinks makes things grow.
Wisdom from the Barnyard: Realities of Growth
#1 Growth is easier for the young.
I took care of the young cattle in the winter. I did two things: fed them and ran the wheelbarrow.
Young cows don’t give milk. They do two things: grow and make a mess.
#2 Growth is difficult for the mature.
The only way to give is to grow.
Mature cows stop growing and focus on giving. Busy leaders don’t take time for growth.
Lack of growth caps contribution.
Wisdom from the barnyard says embrace the stink. Growth doesn’t smell like success. It stinks like discomfort.
5 Ways Seasoned Leaders GROW into New Contributions
#1 Something new.
Do something you haven’t done that strengthens the person you’re becoming.
Adopt a new way of thinking about yourself. Old you = doer. New you = enabler.
Remember that starting fresh is easier than changing course.
#2 Something discomforting.
Ask people who know you, “What’s holding me back?” Don’t settle for, “You’re great.”
Replace hindrances with new behaviors.
#3 Something tossed.
Old ways of doing things stand in the way of new contributions.
What do you need to stop?
#4 Something surprising.
Seek unexpected mentors. Pursue young people or leaders in different businesses. Do something they suggest for a month.
#5 Something resisted.
Marcus Aurelius said, “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” (Meditations 5:20)
Resistance is an invitation to growth. Do something that scares you.
A Final Encouragement
Pursue growth, not success.
Growth expands potential. Wisdom says the more you grow, the more you can give.
How can leaders prioritize the wisdom of personal growth?
What prevents leaders from dedicating energy to personal growth?
A Contrarian Approach to Growth
6 Essential Leadership Skills — and How to Develop Them
growth Vs Success, useful differentiation. Thanks Dan.
Thanks CV. It’s a challenge to me because success is seductive and growth isn’t a direct route.
I love the “stop” “start” “continue” addition to growth goals to focus on specific behaviors! Always love your insights! 🙂
Thanks, Leslie. Now to add actions to each word. 🙂
I’ve heard it said, ‘the lotus grows from mud, not slabs of marble’
That’s a new one for me! Thanks Eric