Lessons From An Amaryllis Bulb!

John came for dinner and brought me a “plant”.  Not your ordinary plant, mind you, but a big, dried bulb nailed onto a piece of wood.

“Don’t touch it or water it,” John warned. “Just set it on the counter and wait.”

So, for weeks, this ugly, dried-out brown bulb that looked like a huge potato sat on the counter. I noticed its girth was reducing, but that was it.

One day, I saw a small green shoot beginning to peek its head out from the dried covering. I didn’t water it. I didn’t touch it. The bulb was so ugly and certainly must have hated being nailed at the base in the wood.

But, within 2 weeks, 3 more stalks appeared. No water. But now gorgeous, healthy green stalks.  And in short order, I had 5 huge red amaryllis flowers!  It seemed like a miracle!

When the flowers died, I cut the stalks back and threw the bulbs out. But wait—Bill said, “stop”. He bought the shrunken bulb out of the trash and planted it in the dirt. 

Another miracle is happening. I have three new healthy stalks rising in the dirt. Have no idea if we’ll get flowers, but I sure learned some leadership lessons.

1. Regardless of appearance, believe in each individual's possibility. Ragged clothes do not merit disdain but rather internal worth.

2. Pay attention to what the “blub” needs. I would have drowned my bulb in water. Wrong step. Listen. Ask what is needed and then respond. Different strokes for different folks

3. Like the bulb, people are probably not one-act individuals. Just because the “act” is over, doesn’t mean the individual is finished. There’s so much inside of all of us. 

4. I say this out loud to myself. After 45 years in my career, I’ve felt like that dried-up bulb.  Hmmmm. Time to replant in a different soil! 

OK, dear readers, I’d love to know your thoughts. Where did you think you were “finished”, only to discover you were so much more than a “one act”? Or perhaps you’re like me: sitting and listening to the next place to bloom?  Maybe you need a nudge or insight from a “gardener”—a coach.

If I can help, please let me know.