Bloom where you’re planted

That phrase “Bloom where you’re planted” has been in my mind for the last several weeks. A little research in Google tells me there are multiple books, logos t-shirts, mugs, and posters with this saying. My first time hearing it was in college with my roommate. It seems we read a book by that name. Now many years later it has a slightly different meaning.

I am looking out in our neighborhood and see an oak tree growing in our yard and a different one next door. Ours is crooked and winding reaching over into the next yard. The neighbors is straight as an arrow and just as beautiful.

The crooked one reminds me of my life and my career. It didn’t happen in a straight line. I failed my nursing boards the first time and was “relieved” of my first nursing job. Years later, as a young assistant head nurse (yes we had those titles), I volunteered to be a nurse manager with absolutely NO leadership experience. There was much weeping and gnashing of teeth quietly in the bathroom during the first budget season every time someone mentioned words like FTE, position control, capital expenses, and zero-based budgets. These are word and terms that now roll off my tongue.  I even experienced a blessing (which looked like a misfortune at the time) of being “released” from a dream leadership job because I did not speak and act like others in similar positions.

I did not get from pure budget prep terror to executive coaching in a straight line; and it was with quite a bit of fertilizing by friends and mentors and watering with tears and prayers.  I did not take the “usual” path either to leadership or to being an entrepreneur without receiving coaching from experienced executive coaches who saw something in me I could not see.  

So, why am I sharing my career ups and downs with you?  Because I think there is a lot to learn from challenges, hardships, and successes.

Here are some questions for you to ponder:

·         Who in your life are you fertilizing by mentoring and coaching?  

·         Are you helping your staff and fellow-leaders to straighten their course in order to meet their goals?

·         Do you assist your children to meet THEIR goals; or are you trying to straighten their path to meet YOUR missed dreams and opportunities?

·         Do you make it easy for your staff to come to you with new ideas or to understand new processes in your department or your organization?

·         Who are you helping to realize a future that they dream about but are afraid to tackle?

ALL of us have something to give. On second thought, we ALL have an OBLIGATION to serve those with whom we lead and come in contact. As a parent, our influence is obvious. But as a leader, are you aware of the influence you have on the “trees” blooming around you?

Are you “blooming where you are planted?”  I would love to hear your thoughts on how you influence those around you.