“What you learn is what you die with.” – African Proverb
In the dynamic world of existing businesses, there was a wise and experienced entrepreneur who had cultivated a flourishing company. His business was like a vast field, where dedicated and hardworking employees represented the precious wheat that contributed to the company’s growth and success. As the business continued to thrive, the entrepreneur noticed the presence of some undesirable elements – much like weeds that had somehow found their way into the field. These weeds represented negative aspects within the organisation – inefficiencies, conflicts and unproductive behaviour that threatened to hinder the company’s overall progress and potential.
Faced with this challenge, the entrepreneur remembered a timeless parable – the parable of the wheat and the weeds. In this parable, a farmer sowed good seeds in his field, but during the night an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat. When the wheat sprouted, the weeds also appeared. The farmer’s servants proposed uprooting the weeds, but the wise farmer counselled patience – knowing that uprooting weeds might inadvertently harm some of the valuable wheat.
Drawing insights from this parable, the wise entrepreneur decided to approach the situation with thoughtfulness and strategy. Instead of immediately eradicating the weeds, he would focus on nurturing the wheat – his dedicated and productive employees – and create an environment that encourages growth and collaboration. The entrepreneur knew that fostering a positive work culture was crucial to sustaining the company’s growth. To this end, he provided opportunities for employee development, invested in training programmes and encouraged mentorship to empower his team to reach their full potential.
Moreover, the entrepreneur recognised that some of the undesirable elements within the organisation could potentially be transformed into valuable assets with the right guidance and support. Instead of dismissing these individuals, the business chose to address the root-causes of the weeds’ behaviour by offering constructive feedback, continuous training, coaching and counselling in order to provide them with a chance for redemption.
The wise entrepreneur also understood the importance of balance. He knew that while nurturing growth and transformation was essential, certain behaviour and attitudes might be detrimental to the company’s overall health. Just as the farmer in the parable eventually separated the wheat from weeds during the harvest, the entrepreneur had to make tough decisions to protect the business’s well-being.
With a mindful and reflective approach, he embraced a culture of accountability and empowerment. He trusted in the potential of his team, encouraging them to take ownership of their actions and contributions to success of the business. Together, they fostered an environment of open communication wherein feedback was welcomed and used to drive continuous improvement.
By applying lessons from the parable of the wheat and weeds, the wise entrepreneur guided the existing business toward sustainable growth and success. All in all, he understood that every organisation, like a field, will encounter both positive and negative elements. The key was to be patient, discerning and compassionate while nurturing the company’s strengths and addressing the challenges constructively.
As the business continued to flourish, the entrepreneur knew that maintaining this balanced approach would be critical to overcoming future challenges and fostering a resilient and thriving organisation. By cultivating a field of positive culture, growth and transformation, the existing business not only reached new heights but also inspired its employees to embrace their full potential – ensuring a fruitful and prosperous future for all.
As leaders, we are tasked with cultivating a thriving and productive environment for our employees to flourish. We must be vigilant in spotting and addressing negative elements that may threaten our organisation’s growth and success. At the same time, we must also recognise the potential for transformation and growth in individuals who may have strayed from the path of productivity and excellence.
Just as the wise entrepreneur embraced the parable’s essence, let us remember the importance of strategic nurturing, guidance and patience in developing a business that thrives even in the midst of challenges. By fostering a culture of growth and learning, we can ensure that our field, our company, flourishes with productive and valuable individuals, enriching the world of business and society as a whole.
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Kodwo Brumpon is a partner at Brumpon & Kobla Ltd., a forward-thinking Pan African management consultancy and social impact firm driven by data analytics with a focus on understanding the extraordinary potential and needs of organisations and businesses; helping them cultivate synergy that catapults them into their strategic growth and certifies their sustainability.
Comments, suggestions and requests for talks and training should be sent to him at kodwo@brumponand kobla.com
