Reaping What We Sow: A Lesson in Employee Development
A Sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some seed fell on the path and was trampled, and the birds of the sky ate it up. Some seed fell on rocky ground, and when it grew, it withered for lack of moisture. Some seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it. And some seed fell on good soil, and it produced fruit a hundredfold. (Luke 8:5-8)
As leaders, we are responsible for nurturing and developing our employees. Similar to the Parable of the Sower, think about comparing your staff to seeds. If the seeds are thrown in the wrong direction, they will not thrive.
The parable takes us on a journey, demonstrating the fate of seeds planted in four different places: a path, rocky ground, among thorns, and in good soil. If each place in the parable is a leadership style, consider how the styles affect employees’ progress, and ultimately your organization’s culture.
Path
Paths are busy, just as detached managers often are. If you, as a leader, are too preoccupied to nurture your employees, they will be trampled.
Rocky Ground
Do you throw your employees into difficult situations without much direction, hoping they figure it out? This is a hallmark of laissez-faire management. Like seeds growing from rocks, employees who work without direction are forced to constantly guess if they will burn out before they reach their full potential.
Thorns
Are your projects and tasks so cumbersome and difficult to achieve that employees cannot find their way without excessive direction from you? Have you unwittingly become a micromanager by creating a thorny environment? Employees who manage to find their way out of the thorns will have scratches and scars to show for it, which is demoralizing.
Good Soil
Are you tending to the needs of your staff, providing necessary training, incentivization, and recognition so they flourish and grow? Are you discovering new ways to provide accomplished employees with new opportunities? If so, you are an inspirational leader. You understand the importance of fertilizing soil to maintain proper pH; that is, you exercise a balanced approach that will allow each employee to blossom, leading to a bountiful harvest for the organization.
Leaders, take a moment and recall which method of nurturing was best for you in your career. Then get in your garden, till the soil, and sow.
“…whoever has ears to hear ought to hear”. (Luke 8:8)
