Leadership is like the bamboo tree

I love the story of how the bamboo tree grows. It’s a story of slow evolution, laying hidden foundations, then a burst of growth and incredible strength.

Let me explain. 

After the bamboo seed is planted, it appears to sit dormant underground, doing nothing. For five years, there is absolutely no evidence of growth, no breaking through the ground, no movement. It is easy to believe the plant has died.

Underground, it’s a totally different story. The bamboo tree is building its foundation, sending roots out in all directions, creating an infrastructure. It is reinforcing itself by building a network of strong, sturdy roots and absorbing nutrients for growth. This work underground will stabilise and support the plant above the ground, at the right time.

Then in the fifth year, almost like magic, the plant breaks through the ground and proceeds to grow up to 24 metres in six weeks, straight towards the sky. It can rapidly expand to this height without breaking due to the strong nutrient supply and extensive root system.

Supported by these incredible foundations underground, the plant is extremely strong and flexible – in fact, the tensile strength of bamboo is 3 - 4 times that of steel.

It adapts and thrives in its environment, completely prepared for life above ground. 

In business, your vision, mission and company values are just like the bamboo’s foundations – and your leadership forms the core.

To lead with conviction and provide an environment of support and trust, you need to create strong foundations, like the bamboo tree. 

You need to paint a picture of where you are going, what you believe and who you need to be to achieve it. With this clear picture, you will attract like-minded people who will support your vision of how you will ‘change the world’ and help to build these foundations. 

We are all looking for purpose and belonging, to be part of something greater than ourselves, to make a difference. This is what people will commit to emotionally; I call it your North Star, or your guiding light. And people want to connect to leadership. 

You need a strong inner core- what you believe in, who you are, who you’re not, your strengths, passions and all the things that make you uniquely you. This is your WHY. 

If you are an effective leader, people will buy into who you areat your core.They will connect with what you believe, what you stand for, what you demonstrate through your words and actions. 

People will connect to your WHY. Not the speeches you give or the decisions you make, but the beliefs and convictions that sit behind them. They will follow you because they believe in you - and are willing to follow your vision and follow you. 

So you see, leadership is just like the bamboo tree.

With strong foundations,you will have the people you need around you, who will believe in you and support your actions and decisions. People who will stand by you, no matter what adverse conditions you face or ‘bad weather’ you face.

With a strong inner core,you’ll have conviction and self-belief in the face of adversity and criticism and the confidence to clearly communicate who you really are. 

Just like the bamboo tree, drawing nutrients from its roots, you need to draw strength from your coreand build foundations around you. Then you must continually strengthen your leadership skills and capability as you grow, taking your team on the journey. 

In my next article, I will share the two most effective strategies for leaders to build their core and their foundations; what you can learn from other people, and what you can learn from your own self-reflection.