Two neighboring trees attracted my attention. One tree grew horizontally with many branches. The other tree grew vertically with little branching. This reminded me of the vertical and horizontal growth of organizations. What makes trees prefer one growth type to the other? Can organizations learn from trees?
One more observation is that the dead leaves horizontal tree did not fall. Life and death co-exist.
Why some people do not drop from their position when their times expired? The dead leaves occupy space and hinder the growth of the fresh ones. Same with expired employees- they are the dead leaves among the living ones. Is it selfishness?
One more thought comes from the old story of a caliph who hanged a poet and tied him up on a tree as an insult for him; this also warned him not to oppose the caliph.
The poets’ mother wrote great lyrics. She said “My son- elevation in your life and even in your death that is one of the miracles”. This forced the caliph to order the poet’s burial. The mother turned the insult of hanging her son into an honor for him.
What other ideas come to your mind?
Trees can teach us first of all that those who are truly autonomous are also able to provide better for others and obtain what they need through exchange and without exploitation. Like all plants, in fact, trees produce their own food by transforming carbon dioxide into sweet and nourishing sap, with the addition of water and mineral salts, using solar energy. With this alone they are much more autonomous than any animal or human, without others paying for it. To get help from insects, birds, other animals and plants, as well as from fungi, to obtain certain advantages, they prepare exactly what these allies need, making sure that, while they use them, they also perform the desired function. without particular effort.
AO true, Aldo and your comment explains my interest in plants as source of inspiration.
Plants do not move. They are more restricted than we are. Yet. they found creative methods to produce their own food, to turn toxic chemicals into useful products such a using dead leaves as a source of nutrients.
Plants are creative and find ways to adapt and stay agile. They keep their authenticity while cooperating with others. They know with whom to ally such as allying with fungi to make the world’s first internet underground.
Your comment is addressed to my heart as well.
Thank you Byron and I am very glad to read your prompt comment.
You highlighted key points. I am inspired to think of more examples such as:
Is it better to diversify and branch out skills or to build and strengthen the skills you have>
Is it better to launch many branches or to focus on few ones? The multiplier effect calls for branching. The reduction of costs call for vertical growth,
I agree with you that we underestimate the hidden power of poets and artists in general. It is the power of imagination and creativity.
Thank you again, Byron,
AA . .
Ali, great metaphor, trees for organizations. There’s a lot we can infer from that. For one thing, why did the tree develop horizontally in the first place? And why vertically? Do we tend to follow one or the other? Also, the Caliph’s punishment showed that he clearly misunderstood the power of poets, and their poetic contributions to society.
Thank you!
BE