 |
| Sassafras tree in Michigan. |
"How did you go bankrupt? Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly."
—Ernest Hemingway, "The Sun Also Rises"
This summer, we removed a nearly 100-year-old, 100-foot sassafras tree from a property in Michigan. During a recent inspection of all our trees, arborist John Wardlaw noticed a "cavity" in the side of that particular tree, indicating probable damage to the center of the trunk. However, he said the outside could look okay while the inside was deteriorating.
After two very large branches fell this past year, we decided to take the tree down. Unfortunately, the combination of shade and sassafras fragrance paled in comparison to the danger of a falling tree causing bodily harm, or worse.
How a tree hollows
Our research shows that trees suffer injury just as humans do. That was news to me. When limbs break, they sometimes create an opening in the bark, exposing the sapwood. Fungal and bacterial attacks can form a cavity.
Stress can come from wind, fire, heat, and lightning. We've had lots of rain this spring in Michigan, which is also a contributing factor.
Can a tree be hollow and still live?
Indeed, a hollow tree can be alive — and fruitful.
Emily Stone, a naturalist and educator at the Cable Natural History Museum, says, "All of the growth and water transport continues in the outer shell of the tree — the sapwood — even as the center rots away.
"For a tree to become hollow, though, it must start the process while it is still alive," she added.
How a business hollows
Just as trees stay healthy and avoid hollowing out, businesses need the right conditions to grow and stay strong.
A corporate soul (purpose, beliefs, and values) resides inside an "organizational tree." That core is strategic to the enterprise and therefore needs constant attention.
Author Lim Lay Hsuan observed, "If leadership fails to nurture the soul, like a deprived garden, it will eventually die."
Nurturing a company begins with nurturing oneself. Leaders who are clear about their own purpose and goals have a head start in that process.
What else should have our attention?
"Why" the business; hiring decisions; who the customer is; developing associates; the quality of being special; ethics; changing environments; and exemplary performance or execution, not just what's required.
Those ingredients necessitate maintenance and contribute to a healthy corporate culture, the most overlooked competitive advantage.
Reflections
-What's the current condition of your organizational soul?
-Who are the guardians?
-Do the company's beliefs and values matter to a new workforce?
-How do you keep and strengthen the soul during periods of significant demographic change?
Circumvent the hollowing
While there are no guarantees, it's worth trying to safeguard what matters most to an organization. A short checklist suggests ways of impeding the hollowing process:
- Identify what matters most to your business and communicate it frequently.
- Apply your beliefs and values consistently, especially in decision-making.
- Watch for stresses that can cause long-term damage.
- Businesses, like trees, need trimming to stay healthy and flourish.
- Hire for corporate culture. Nothing beats a good fit.
