Room to Grow
You can’t force a plant to grow, but you can create the conditions it needs to thrive and room to grow.
The same is true of people.
So, how do we create workplaces where people move beyond simply surviving and have the opportunity to thrive?
Just as plants need water, light and healthy soil, people need trust, autonomy and useful feedback to grow. When these essential ingredients are missing, even the most capable people can struggle to flourish. But when the conditions are right, people have the space and support to do their best work.
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of joining Elephants Don’t Forget in London for their fabulous end-of-year event. Together, we brought leaders into a conversation about the conditions we create at work, exploring what helps people flourish and what holds them back.
Our approach was simple: two plants, two pots of soil, no PowerPoint and plenty of conversation.
As I prepared for the session earlier this week, I found myself reflecting on Simon Sinek’s conversation with Rob Willis about the pressure to sound smart when presenting. It was a timely reminder that creating a meaningful experience isn’t about having all the answers or delivering a perfectly polished presentation. It’s about making room for the people in front of us.
In a world increasingly polished by AI, a stumble, a pause or an honest question can create the space for something far more valuable: genuine human connection.
And that’s exactly what happened.
Through open conversation, we explored what depletes people at work, what helps them feel nourished and supported, and what small, practical changes leaders can make to improve the conditions around them.
Because creating a thriving workplace doesn’t always begin with a big initiative. Sometimes, it starts by asking the right question and being willing to listen to the answer.
We left everyone with one question to reflect on:
What are the top three things you need from your role to thrive?
Are you getting them?
And if not, what needs to change?
Perhaps the most important question for leaders is not how to get more out of people, but how to create the conditions in which people can do their best work.
After all, better conditions create the opportunity for better outcomes.
🌱 Would you like to bring Room to Grow to your organisation?
We offer a one-hour session designed to spark meaningful conversations and practical action. No PowerPoint slides, two-thirds interaction, and ideas people can take away and put into practice.
If you’d like to explore how this could work for your organisation, get in touch.
Warm regards,
Mark
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