The Redwood Tree
The Redwood tree can grow to tremdous heights, as high as 750 feet. But its root system only goes about 10 feet deep and may spread out a hundred feet or so. That sounds fine, at first, but when you consider the tremendous height and the weight of a Redwood tree that tall it may not surprise you to know that a lone Redwood tree can topple very easy. If you see an old growth Redwood tree you will always see at least one other Redwood tree there also. Why is that? Because, the roots of the other Redwood tree(s) intertwine with the roots of the other tree(s) in order to gain more strength.
As humans we may learn a lot from the Redwood tree. As an individual we may be very strong, we might be very intelligent, etc. etc. etc. but if we do not work with others (intertwine our roots) in order to accomplish tasks, then we also stand a greater risk of toppling, falling or failing. For us, as members of a company, we can reach a certain level of success, just as the lone Redwood tree, but eventually a storm will come along that will cause our root system to fail. But, if we band together and work as a team then we stand a greater chance of sustained success, over a greater period of time.
Peter Senge, author of the Fifth Discipline, says: 'The sum is greater than the whole of its parts.'
Thanks,
Judd Sloan, CM
LMLA webmaster
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