By Kara Mallory

I was twenty-seven when I accepted my first teaching job. Being five years into another career, I was excited to venture into the world of the classroom. I also knew, however, that I had some growth ahead of me. I was like a fragile flower yearning to bloom but nervous about the bad weather I might soon face. Fortunately, a colleague found me and quickly became my “personal gardener.” When I approached her with a desire or a challenge, this master teacher would always respond with four words: “Bloom where you’re planted.” Then, she proceeded to help me do just that. These words became a mantra for me.

Four Ways “Gardener-Leaders” Help Others Grow

At Growing Leaders, one of my favorite Habitudes® is “The Gardeners Job.” A gardener nurtures plants to help them grow. Similarly, great leaders focus on developing their team members. If you are in administration or serving as a leader within your school, I want to challenge you to use these five principles for practical leadership. They will help you become like a gardener for those around you.

1. Use rich soil.

When I was growing up, I vividly remember springtime. My parents would have a truck full of soil dumped onto our driveway. It smelled of manure and earth, but when spread among the many flower beds, it provided all their beautiful flower buds with the nutrients they needed to bloom. Soil that slowly and constantly nourishes its plants provides a strong foundation.

Leaders must cultivate a positive environment for their people. Creating an authentic school culture is vital in fostering a growth mindset for those within your building. A positive school culture fosters academic achievement, personal growth, and well-being for all community members.

2. Prune more often.

Wilted flowers attract unwanted insects, pests, and diseases while wasting energy and sap. Most plants grow better and have more flowers if their wilted and faded blooms are pruned often. A great gardener knows that whenever they see the flowers, it is time to remove them so the plant can direct its energy to form more blooms and buds.

Leaders confidently identify when someone or something is wasting energy and potential. They take immediate action to redirect this energy toward cultivating new leaders. Though pruning may sound harsh, offering constructive feedback promptly and eliminating unproductive habits supports growth.

3. Fertilize the plants.

During the growing season, at least one night during a busy week, you would find my dad on the back porch, hose in hand, with a spray bottle attached to the nozzle. He was fertilizing the flowers he and my mom had planted. Plants must be fed at least once every other week with half-strength fertilizer to have more flowers. Specific ingredients in the fertilizer promote more flower buds than others, and a great gardener ensures they are not overfertilized. 

Leaders nurture their gardens by actively supporting their people. You can achieve this by holding regular check-in meetings, especially during the growing season. To provide nourishment to everyone, organize consistent Professional Development sessions. Invite knowledgeable speakers, facilitate book discussions, explore each other’s strengths, and empower different leaders in your organization to take charge during these sessions. Avoid excessive feeding by imposing personal agendas or micromanaging to prevent stifling growth.

4. Provide more sun.

I remember the first time I tried to grow a plant indoors. I lived in a house that provided little sunlight near my kitchen counter, where the plant sat. Needless to say, the plant did not survive. Light is essential for plant growth. Many plants require direct sunlight for long hours every day to become flowers. There is an exception for plants that prefer shade. These plants reduce the number of flowers when exposed to more sunlight. 

Great leaders understand who should be in the spotlight and who should be supported in the background. They place their team members accordingly, empowering them to lead in their own way. For example, veteran teachers could mentor new ones. Teachers with eight to ten years of experience need additional encouragement to avoid burnout. So, provide it. Offer encouragement, feedback, resources, and guidance. Position your teams for success, allowing them to grow.

It has been said that the development and growth of people is the highest calling in leadership. Like gardeners, good leaders can provide key ingredients that foster the development of people within their reach. It is important to remember that there is a season for everything. We must care for our blooms well in the growing season. 

As a leader, are you providing environments that nurture your team members so they can “bloom where they are planted”?