Plant, Grow, Prune: Three Leadership Ideas for Winter

I don’t know about you, but I’m finding it a little harder to get out of bed on these cold winter mornings.

Winter has a way of changing our pace.

At this time of year, the trees can look a little bare. It can seem as though nothing much is happening. But beneath the surface, their roots are quietly growing stronger.

Leaders aren’t so different.

Not every season is about pushing harder. Sometimes it’s about strengthening the foundations that will support your growth.

As we head into the second half of the year, here are three ideas to help you and those around you grow.

Plant a seed of recognition

David Novak,[1] former Chairman and CEO of Yum! Brands, the company behind KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, believes one of the fastest ways to bring out the best in people is to catch them doing something right. For first-time leaders, it’s a powerful reminder that recognition isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s one of the simplest ways to build confidence, trust and engagement.

Recognition isn’t about grand gestures or annual awards. It’s about noticing the behaviours you want to see more of and taking the time to acknowledge them.

We can all do this in our own way:

• Write a handwritten note to a colleague who quietly goes above and beyond
• Tell a client how much you’ve appreciated working with them
• Send a text to a friend who’s always there.

The most meaningful recognition is both specific and timely.

Instead of “Thanks for your help,” try:
“Thank you for staying back yesterday to help me finish that presentation. Your calm approach made a real difference.”

When people know exactly what they did well, they’re more likely to do it again. And when recognition is given in the moment, it feels genuine.

 

Help someone grow

There is an art to giving good feedback.

Studies[2] have found that when feedback combines high standards with genuine belief in a person’s ability to succeed, people are significantly more receptive to hearing it.

Organisational psychologist, Adam Grant, suggests it can be as simple as saying:

“I’m sharing this because I have high standards. I know you’re capable of this, and I want to help you succeed.”

If you manage people, don’t shy away from constructive feedback. Given with care and encouragement, it can be one of the greatest gifts we give.

And if you don’t manage people, the same principle still applies. Encourage a colleague who’s doubting themselves or mentor someone earlier in their career.

Helping people grow isn’t reserved for those with “manager” in their job title. In fact, it’s one of the qualities that sets emerging leaders apart.

What needs pruning?

Peter Drucker is often quoted as saying, “Half the leaders I have met don’t need to learn what to do. They need to learn what to stop.”

Often great leadership isn’t about adding more. It’s about knowing what to prune.

This week, ask yourself:

• What do I need to stop doing so others can grow?
• If I had to create 20% more space in my week, what would I remove first?
• What is taking my energy but not moving me forward?
• What old habits or beliefs do I need to let go of to make room for the leader I’m becoming?

Winter is a time to reflect and reset. It reminds us that growth isn’t always visible. Some of the most important work often happens unnoticed.

As you move through this season, don’t underestimate the power of small actions that nourish you, your work and those around you. It is these small acts that cultivate a fruitful season ahead.

[1] David Novak, (2012) Taking People with You: The Only Way to Make Big Things Happen 

[2] Cohen, G. L., & Yeager, D. S. (2020). The power of yet: How the right mindset can help students thrive.