I was recently working with a group in the middle of a change. The system they were replacing needed to go, and there were good reasons to move forward.
The harder work was helping people navigate the emotions that come with change.
Why Water the Bamboo Works as a Leadership Philosophy
Titles change, and positions change. What holds a leader steady is something quieter: the philosophy underneath the decisions, the place they return to when things get hard. Without it, leadership drifts. With it, leadership has somewhere to stand. That is the heart of Water the Bamboo.
The Leadership Challenge: Managing Expectations
A Bamboo Farmer Takes Responsibility
A bamboo farmer does not wait for perfect weather, better tools, or ideal conditions.
They water daily.
No excuses. No shortcuts. No outsourcing the work.
Leadership works the same way. Like the farmer, growth in leadership starts not when circumstances improve but when responsibility is claimed.
Leaders often blame external factors, but bamboo grows not because conditions are ideal, but because it is watered daily.
PART III: Leading in a Crisis - When It's Winter: How to Lead Through Seasons of Setback
Everything You Love or Like Needs Maintenance
Consider the regular maintenance required for things we depend on: cars need oil changes, homes require upkeep, smartphones need software updates, and our bodies need exercise and nutrition.
We often neglect these essential tasks until something breaks down. However, proactive maintenance can prevent these breakdowns. While maintenance may seem mundane, it's the unseen effort that ensures everything functions optimally. If we value something, we should prioritize its upkeep. If you care about it, keeping it in top shape is worth the effort.
Jodi Guffee, COO at Radiant Senior Living, on high standards for team members and why failures are great opportunities
Marc Patrick, Global Marketing Leader at Beyond Meat on work ethic, continuous learning, and not being distracted by shiny objects
Marc Patrick began his career as a receptionist, answering and redirecting calls, and now he’s a global brand and marketing leader at Beyond Meat.
So, how did he get here?
In this episode, you’ll hear how Marc’s work ethic and Bamboo Circle played key roles in his career growth, and why he will never stop learning and growing.
Don’t miss this insightful conversation with one of the world’s brightest marketing leaders.
Gonzaga Men’s Basketball Head Coach Mark Few on Building Strong Relationships and Community for Sustained Growth
Think about everyone in your network, team, and community--that’s your Bamboo Circle.
Our guest today, Mark Few, Gonzaga Men’s Basketball Head Coach, shares how he has built deep-rooted relationships with current and former players, their families, and the community at large to build his Bamboo Circle.
Leadership and Management – both are needed!
Frankly, I get tired of people bashing management because it is almost impossible to function without good management. “Management” is the only group in an organization that people openly bash. I have read countless organizational consultants and strategists praising leadership skills over management skills as superior and more important.
