Good morning from a sunny and cold YVR! I am looking forward to the flight to Saskatoon as the skies above Vancouver are clear and bright and so the journey over the coastal mountains will be stunning!

I do so love the conversations that are sparked by these short notes. Last week I used the word “weeds” to metaphorically describe some individuals with whom we work. Almost immediately I received emails in response, both thanking me for naming an issue that someone was wrestling with, and from folks arguing against the use of the particular metaphor. One of our correspondents, made the following suggestion:

“the idea of referring to human capital as “weeds” is something that for me has negative connotations – i.e. remove/avoid the “problem” or “bad seed”. In another metaphor I’ve read, the same idea has been expressed more positively presuming that all “flowers” (or plants per se) have a purpose but some may be due for “transplanting” so they can continue to bloom and grow (or perhaps are better suited to one soil type/environmental growing conditions versus another). I personally prefer this more positive framing of leadership “gardening” work - and self reflection as you noted - to recognize goodness of fit and periodic renewal of right people in right roles for the health and rejuvenation of the “garden”

And then, just this morning, this joke arrived and I thought, the universe is really trying to tell me something!

A firm, feeling it was time for a shakeup, hired a new CEO.  The new boss was determined to rid the company of all slackers. On a tour of  the facilities, the CEO noticed a guy leaning against a wall. The room was full of workers and he wanted to let them know that he meant business. He asked the guy,"How much  money do you make a week?" A little  surprised, the young man looked at him and said, "I make $400 a week.  Why?" The CEO said,  "Wait right here." He walked back to his office, came back in two minutes, and handed the guy $1,600 in cash and said,  "Here's four weeks' pay.  Now GET OUT and don't come back." Feeling pretty good about himself the CEO looked around the room and asked, "Does anyone want to tell me what that goof-ball did here?" From across  the room a voice said? , "Pizza delivery guy from Domino's."

A fundamental challenge for all us as leaders is to identify what kind of garden we’re creating/nurturing? What are the values we want to work with and within?  What are the behavioural competencies we need to have and what technical competencies are required? We need then to not only know our garden, but to know the individual plants in it. We can make our garden great by planting the right plants in the right place, but sometimes we make a mistake, and find that a particular plant would be better suited in another garden. The real challenge is in the transplant where delicacy and care are vital. That said, the delicate and careful gardener must also be firm and strong, a sometimes difficult balance.

I’m really curious about your experiences with these kinds of situations; have you ever ‘fired’ anyone, have you been part of a large lay-off decision, or have you done some “transplanting” to continue the metaphor? What were your lessons learned, and what advice would you give anyone facing such decisions for the first time. I’ll compile them over the next couple of weeks and into the new year.

Again, thanks for you continued engagement with Leadership Notes