While researching ideas for a customised presentation I recently delivered to the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (www.wista.net) I came across this example of how you can’t keep a good seed down. The lush green plants in this picture contain more history than you can possibly imagine. They came from soil that was [...]

Tags: Career path, employee engagement, engagement, Karen Schmidt, Leading is like gardening, mature employees, www.letsgrow.com.au

Did you know that coffee grounds are regularly used by gardeners? I don’t drink coffee so the issue of what to do with leftover grounds has never concerned me. However, I recently came across an article that outlined some really interesting ways to use coffee in the garden, including: Coffee grounds can be used as [...]

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

I was watching another episode of Monty Don’s “Lost Gardens”.  This time it was devoted to a Victorian era pleasure garden complete with a beautiful summer house. This series is not just about gardening. It also gives an insight into how people lived at a point in history. What I learnt is that by the [...]

Tags: Change management, employee engagement, engagement, Karen Schmidt, Leadership and gardening, Leadership and management, Leadership skills, Leading is like gardening, Organisational culture, Reputation, Workplace gardening, www.letsgrow.com.au

Senior leaders often want to save themselves time and energy by hiring in people for their leadership team who are already skilled and experienced, believing this is the most efficient and effective way to go. I disagree. I believe that growing your own leadership talent pool is far more effective and efficient than bringing in [...]

Tags: emerging leaders, employee engagement, engagement, Karen Schmidt, Leadership and gardening, Leadership and management, Leadership skills, Leading is like gardening, New leaders, Outsourcing, 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