Every great leader begins with a vision. But not any vision: such a small idea that seems insignificant, a seed in the vast field of the market, organizations, politics and innovation. Often, these ideas are ignored, discarded by their size or because they challenge the status quo.
However, there is a seed in nature that offers us the basis for transformative leadership: the mustard seed. Tiny in appearance, although with an exponential growth potential, capable of becoming a robust bush that dominates the landscape. So what would happen if we applied this principle to the way we lead companies, communities or even whole countries?
To answer this question, here are these emerging leadership pillars that is revolutionizing the way of thinking about power, resilience and impact.
Is called Mustard seed leadership And it is more than a theory: it is an applied philosophy that can transform the way we direct in times of uncertainty and change.
- What nature teaches
To understand this model that I have tried in hundreds of executives, we first need to understand the biology and behavior of mustard seed, and can be distinguished by Five phases differentiated and complementary to each other:
1) The size does not define the impact. The mustard seed measures just 1 to 2 millimeters in diameter. When it is cultivated correctly, it can grow up to three meters high in a few weeks. A perfect parallelism with the great leaders: its beginnings are small, sometimes invisible, but its potential is immense.
2) Quick growth, with deep roots. While other plants take months or even years to mature, the Mostaza seed germinates in three to ten days and reaches its maturity in 35 to 90 days. In leadership, this is the period of iteration and experimentation, where an idea must be tested quickly, but with solid bases. In plants – as in companies – deep roots grow faster and solid, while superficial usually lasts a short time.
3) Resilience and adaptability. The mustard seed is suitable for growing in arid soils and under adverse climatic conditions. It does not need excessive fertilizers or a controlled environment. In the world of organizations, vision leaders prosper in uncertain contexts, economic crises and disruptive changes.
4) The true taste emerges from the process. When it is in its natural state, mustard seed is toilet and flavorless. Only when crushed, mixed with liquid and processed, acquires its characteristic strong and spicy flavor. In the same way, the great leaders are not born completely formed; Its character, vision and resilience are forged through challenge, pressure and adversity.
5) A seed that multiplies its impact. When a mature mustard plant produces hundreds of new seeds, each with the potential to generate more life. Practically “pollinates” seeds. True leadership is not measured by the number of followers, but by the number of new leaders who are cultivated.
The mustard seed leadership model: three phases to transform an impact vision
Based on the natural growth of mustard seed, which, by the way, has multiple studies and even a biblical analogy, the mustard seed leadership model is structured in three fundamental phases:
1. Sowing: The ideas planter (the vision and purpose of the leader)
Each great transformation begins with an idea. But an idea, alone, has no impact if it is not planted in the right environment.
To achieve this it is necessary:
- Define a clear vision. Effective leaders know that great ideas are not always understood at the beginning. The essential thing is that they have a powerful and feasible core of execution. Validation will be given through small, concrete and fast results.
- Sow on the suitable field. Just as not all seeds thrive on any soil, a vision requires being launched and developed in the right context, with people and resources aligned with their growth.
- Have strategic patience. As the seed does not grow overnight, when its impact springs it is deep and durable. In organizations, sudden success is a short -range myth; What really works is the sustained strategic consistency over the years.
2. Growth: The Talent Gardener (Training and Resilience)
Once planted, that tiny mustard seed needs water, sun and time to grow. Not everything happens immediately, and every day of care strengthens it. In the world of companies and leadership, you can develop it:
- Nourish talent and culture. A leader not only builds strategies, but growth ecosystems where people can develop and contribute their best version. Here it is important to distinguish the management (management and processes) of leadership (vision, strategy and center in people). While they may have points in common, they are differentiated and usually considered synonyms; And they are not.
- Prune to grow. In the leadership process, not all ideas and people contribute to real growth. Knowing when to make cuts and settings is key to sustainable leadership. In this model, it is imperative to learn to cut in time, keep the team in constant growth, and achieve a talent “pollination” effect: this is what will multiply the skills according to the strengths and preparation of each person.
- Resilience to adversity. Mustard seed grows in difficult conditions. Who leads knows how to understand that growth does not occur in comfort, but in friction and challenge. This mentality of strengthening and learning from difficulties and crises, is what a multiplier temperaness of leadership, inward and at all levels of the organization is forging.
3. Harvest: the impact multiplier (consolidation and legacy)
The moment when the seed matures and produces fruits is when its impact becomes real and tangible. For leaders, this is the phase where their work leaves a mark beyond their own management, and it can take years to achieve it. These are the necessary steps:
- Climb the vision. Great leaders not only seek personal growth, but how to amplify their impact on other sectors and generations. The loss of course is due to leadership failures by not communicating it properly, not to permanently hold it, and not periodically renew “the votes of the commitment” to the Major Mission, with each collaborator.
- Become a mentor. As a mustard plant that generates new seeds and sometimes needs a support, any exceptional leader can analyze its success for how many other leaders has helped form. One of the best practices is to train in the mentor of others, and transfer your experience directly with those who are open and receptive to capitalize it. This action produces a virtuous effect of exponential development on talent, since a mark on others is left, and a deep personal and professional satisfaction.
- Create sustainability. It is not just an immediate success, but to ensure that the impact lasts over time. In fact, short -term strategies are the least results. Within sustainability, the above aspects are incorporated (which we could enroll within the so -called “soft or soft), and the” hard) (hard) essential aspects: concrete results, strategic planning of all kinds, constantly render accounts, and the clear indicators to measure the success of the business, its viability and adaptability, and how it will climb according to the global plan of the company.
First steps to be a mustard seed leader in the real world
Now that you have known the model that I have created, here is a practice guide to lower it to the reality of your role and operation:
1) Start with a clear vision, even if you think it’s small. Any great empire began with apparently insignificant ideas. Make sure your idea has purpose, direction, consistency and constant coherence with values.
2) Cultivate the right environment for growth. It is not enough to gather people and work. You can have a lot of talent, although it is context in which the most important is developed. Surround yourself with people and resources that enhance your vision. Be an incubator of human potential.
3) Adapt without losing your authenticity. As we saw, the mustard seed thrives in adverse conditions. As a leader, he learns to evolve without betraying your central purpose, your personal taste and “seasoning.” It allows others to also find and explore their passions, and make them distinctive features of their daily performance. And, on your part, apply vulnerability well understood as a tool for humanization of your leadership.
4) Grow others. True leadership is not measured by individual power, but by how you raise those around you through influence; This means, the positive impact you will have on others, and how it will mark them, guide and reorient if they lose course.
5) Think in the long term. The seeds that you sow today will determine your impact on the future. Leads with a sustainability and legacy mentality in the long term. I usually work in complex and emerging countries. This model of mustard seed leadership is precisely emerging leadership in its purest form, for flexibility, versatility and uniqueness that it contains.
We are in a business world dominated by size, speed and instant success. The mustard seed leadership model comes to remember that the small and patient achieves a greater impact.
So, it’s not about starting with power, but with purpose. It is not about having infinite resources, but knowing how to use them wisely. And, especially, it is not about being recognized, but about creating something so unique that it grows and lasts far beyond oneself, and leave an indelible mark.
As a final synthesis, the question is not whether your vision is large enough. The real question is: Are you willing to sow her?
About the author:
Daniel Colombo is facilitator and Executive Coach specialized in senior management, professionals and teams; Mentor and professional communicator; international lecturer; Author of 33 books. LinkedIn Top Voice Latin America. Professional Coach certified by ICF at its maximum level, certified coach, member and mentor at Maxwell Leadership, John Maxwell’s team.
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