There is a growing movement to bring back old style heirloom varieties of plants. They are varieties that were commonly grown in the past but fell out of favour as we developed newer varieties. Before the industrialisation of agriculture a much wider variety of plant foods were grown for human consumption. Today most food crops [...]

Tags: employee engagement, Employee morale, Karen Schmidt, Organisational culture

I was wandering around Roma Street Parklands here in Brisbane recently when I came across this tree. From a distance I thought it had a strange type of bark until I got up close and realised what it was I could see. The gardeners had covered the trunk of the tree with some kind of [...]

Tags: employee engagement, Employee morale, Karen Schmidt, Leadership and gardening, Leadership and management, Leading is like gardening, Organisational culture, www.letsgrow.com.au

If you have been reading any of my blog posts you will know that I am a great believer in symbolism, which is why I am passionate about encouraging organisations to have plants in their offices. I believe that caring for plants is a sign that you also care for your people. Having flowers at [...]

Tags: employee engagement, engagement, Karen Schmidt, Leadership and gardening, Leadership and management, Leadership skills, Leading is like gardening, plants at work, Productivity, Workplace gardening, www.letsgrow.com.au

I am always impressed by people who are resourceful. You know the type who can make do or do without, who survive on minimal funding and still manage to produce a great outcome. I come across them all the time in my not for profit and association sector clients and often amongst my small business [...]

Tags: employee engagement, Employee engagement tips, Employee retention, engagement

On my recent trip to Thailand to present at a conference I found myself staying in a room on the 2nd floor. Normally this means you end up with a less than desirable view, something like the car park or a brick wall. This wasn’t the case at the Grand Hyatt Erawan, Bangkok. My room [...]

Tags: employee engagement, Employee morale, Organisational culture, work environment