The Spark ("The wisdom of the roots")

quote

“Maybe you are searching among the branches for what only appears in the roots.”

Rumi (13th century poet and scholar)

In our quest for leadership excellence, sometimes the answers we seek are hidden not in the complex structures we construct, but in the simplicity of our beginnings. This profound wisdom is beautifully captured in the words of the 13th-century Persian poet, Rumi, who once said, "Maybe you are searching among the branches for what only appears in the roots."

Consider the imagery Rumi evokes. In nature, a tree's branches are lush, visible, and often full of activity. Yet, they are not what sustains the tree. It's the roots, hidden underground, that provide nourishment, strength, and stability.

In our quest for leadership excellence, we often focus on the branches - the tangible, measurable, and often glamorous aspects of our work. We seek the latest fads, jump to new trends and adopt cutting-edge technologies; but often we get so caught up in these 'branches' that we overlook the roots - our core values, basic competences, and role modeling behaviors that guide us and our teams.

Remember, it's the roots that gives a tree life, resilience, and the ability to weather storms. Similarly, it is the leader's deeply embedded values, unwavering purpose, and a clearly articulated end goal that builds a resilient, adaptive, and successful team, organization, enterprise. When leaders ground themselves and their teams in mastering and evolving the fundamentals, they are able to inspire trust through focus and predictability. Elevate the bar, raise the standards from the roots, not at the branches. Stronger roots will yield more branches naturally, need to search for the heights, deepen the roots and you’ll fly as a result.

On a more personal front, the timeless words by Rumi offer a powerful invitation to shift our perspective, to explore the hidden treasures that lie beneath surfaces. Too often, we find ourselves chasing after desires or seeking external validation (the superficial branches of life.)

Rumi's wisdom reminds us that true meaning, lasting joy, and profound wisdom can only be found by delving deep into the roots of our existence. It is in introspection, self-reflection, and a genuine connection to our core values that we discover the essence of who we truly are; by redirecting our attention from the distractions of the world and nurturing the wisdom within.

Lead yourself, Learn to live. Lead others, Learn to Build.

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