I love autumn leaves. If I lived in the right climate I would have a deciduous tree in my garden just so I could watch the leaves change colour and fall to the ground. I am also fascinated by the part they play in the eternal cycle of nature. The leaf litter fertilises the plants who in turn grow leaves that fall to create more leaf litter. This ingenious system ensures that nothing is wasted and that no matter what stage of growth it is at, the tree has a part to play in the ecosystem. Even if they blow away from the spot where they have fallen or are swept up by a gardener for reasons of neatness or safety, they are added to a compost heap somewhere that will eventually help to fertilise another plant. I believe that any gardener who doesn’t see the value of leaf litter should hang up their secateurs! It is free, readily available and ideal for the job once you create the right conditions for it to break down and re-enter the system.

It is a shame that we don’t have such a productive system in the workplace. We have the opportunity to create a cycle of mentoring but not enough organisations see the benefits of it. So instead, young leaders are left craving advice whilst mature leaders can start to feel undervalued and disappointed they are not asked to contribute to helping the next generation. Many retire from work and take with them valuable insights and experiences that are lost to future generations.

This interdependent system of mentoring and the benefits it has for all parties involved has been brought home for me recently as I am working with a professional association to help them with a young leaders mentoring program. It is great to see the energy of both the young professionals and their mentors as they learn from each other. The mentors seem to be getting as much out of the experience as their mentees!

This free system of development should be a must for all organisations and industry groups. Just like the leaf litter, you need to create the right conditions and give each party some guidance on what to do. The rest seems to come naturally to them! So if you don’t already have a mentoring program start one. If you aren’t in one, as either a mentor or a mentee, then put your hand up and get involved. Become part of the continuing cycle of leadership growth that we so desperately need in the modern workplace.

Tags: Gen Y, Karen Schmidt, Leadership and gardening, Leadership skills, Leading is like gardening, learning and development