HR message from plant growth

‘As you achieve so you grow’ is the management message the plants communicate to the corporate world. The big question is whether people in corporate really grow in totality vis-à-vis the success/resource/position that are offered or available to them in the corporate? If we closely look at the behaviour of some CEO’s and Managers, both may often exhibit same level of maturity, will have same level of insecurity, restlessness, thinking pattern and worries. The CEO’s, besides being the most powerful person in any corporate and also in the helm of affairs, need not display such mindset or attitude. But they do so.

Nature has a best management message and best example to offer for the corporate to learn. Look at the growth of plants in general. The roots of most plants are deep inside the soil. They grow against light (negatively photo tropic or positive geotropic). The roots always grow towards water or search water continuously. The interesting point is that as soon as the roots find water, they conduct them to different parts of plants. The plants as a result would grow both in terms of height and girth. When the plant grows bigger the demand for water also would increase and hence the roots start to grow in search of water and nutrients.

The resource that is provided by the roots in turn allows the plant to grow. The aerial growth of any plant in general is directly proportional to the amount of water and other nutrients available to them.

The corporate people have to reflect the above message. Do they also grow and develop high level of leadership qualities in proportion to the functioning authority, designation, respect and salary they receive/get/enjoy. Unfortunately, the people at the helm of affairs and those who enjoys great authority and autonomy in the corporate are the one often behave silly and cheap than the rest. They unnecessarily compete with people in the lower rank and file.

The reason being they have not really grown with the required level of leadership qualities with reference to all the ‘comforts’ (resource) that they enjoy. Growth is essential and inevitable especially when the resources are given in plenty. The HR function must audit and evaluate whether people at different levels exhibit different leadership qualities or not.

Like roots of the plants how when they find the resource, grows, the people in corporate also must grow in totality especially when they are given autonomy and authority. But many corporate may not function the way it is ought to be. This problem is very serious in corporate that are governed by ‘single leader’ where prejudice and favouratism are high. In such corporate designations and hierarchy carry less meaning/sense within the organization. Hence correction must start both at the culture of the organization and at individual employee level.

Authority and autonomy should be given to people in real sense and simultaneously the corporate also must monitor whether people display right quality and leadership style. Look at the growth of plants when you provide resources to people so shall be your people reciprocate.