This week I took inspiration from one of the world’s largest living organisms to share four lessons with our team that we can apply to our current situation.  Sequoia Trees, usually found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, are the most massive trees on Earth.  They grow to over 250 ft tall with trunk diameters ranging from 20-26 ft and they have a lifespan of up to 3,000 years!  These are the huge trees that you may have seen pictures of with a tunnel carved in the trunk that cars can drive through.  Sequoias are impressive trees, and they have a lot to teach us about leadership.  Here are the four lessons I shared with our team:  

1. They Rely on Each Other

Sequoia trees have relatively shallow root systems that only grow 6-20 ft below the ground.  However, they grow close to one another, and their roots are intertwined.  This interconnectedness is what allows them the strength and stability to grow incredibly tall and live for thousands of years.  As leaders, we must rely on one another, and the more connected we are within our organizations, the stronger and more stable we will be.  We cannot try to do it all on our own.  We are stronger together and better able to handle challenges and adversity that come our way when we rely on each other.

2. They Are Always Growing

Sequoia trees continue growing until the day they die.  As they get older, they continue to get bigger and stronger, making them even more impressive.  When we believe that there is always more to learn and room to improve, we embrace our “MIBE Mentality” and push ourselves to be better every day.  A focus on growth allows us to continue reaching new levels of potential, especially when we feel that we’ve been knocked down.

3. They Leave a Legacy

Even after the mother Sequoia trees die, they continue to live underground, providing a source of sustenance to the baby Sequoia growing around them.  As we navigate uncertain times, I challenge you to think about the legacy you want to leave for your organization.  Are you creating a foundation that others can build upon in the future?  Will there be opportunities for others to grow because of the work you are doing now?  Legacy is often cemented by how we handle tough situations and help our organizations overcome challenges.  There couldn’t be a better time than now to leave your mark on your organization.

4. They Have Tremendous Strength and Ability to Overcome

Finally, the Sequoia tree has a unique way of protecting itself from forest fires, and at the same time using those fires for regeneration and growth. Their bark can be up to three feet thick and contains tannin that makes it fire resistant allowing them to survive when other trees can’t. The intense heat of forest fires causes their cones to open up and seeds to germinate.  The fire clears the undergrowth and allows for a growth spurt of Sequoias.  When fires rage through our businesses, we should be thankful for the opportunity to rebuild parts of our companies that need attention.  While some businesses get stuck in survival mode, others take what they’ve learned and plant seeds that fuel growth toward a brighter future.

As you navigate the challenges in your business, I hope you take note of these leadership lessons from the Sequoia Tree.  When we rely on each other, focus on continuous growth, think about the long-term ramifications of our current actions, and view challenges as opportunities to get stronger, we build stronger organizations.  Organizations where our team members can thrive and that can be incredibly resilient. 

Stay tuned for next week’s message when April takes over writing the Mibe Messages for the month of April!