Making Weeds Out of Orchids?
By Tanya Brown
Gardeners at the Palais des Congres tilled their way into a session on “Way to Grow” (9237-LMT) to glean tips from a master horticulturist on the ways to help employees bloom where they are planted. The presentation explored the differences among employees in terms of “orchids,” “daisies” and “weeds.”
“Thinking about your own situation and your organization, who would you categorize as an orchid and who would you categorize as a daisy or a weed?” asked Wendy MacDonald, founder and CEO of Spectrum Solutionz Inc., a business consulting firm headquartered in Cottonwood Heights, Utah. “Now, which one do you want working in your organization?”
Based on the book Way to Grow by Linda Galindo, MacDonald used the concept of orchids, daisies and weeds to help managers recognize which level of time and involvement is needed to help employees bloom where they are planted. No matter what type of flower an employee may be, each one needs to be nurtured appropriately and effectively, but at different levels and in various ways.
Many gardeners prefer orchids because they are delicate, beautiful flowers that carry a high price value compared to daisies. And who wants weeds? They are a headache, invading our flower beds and lawns and taking up our valuable time and money to make them disappear.
But MacDonald turned those perceptions upside down. “Everyone always wants the orchids, but orchids take a lot of care,” she said. “They require a special humidity and a certain exposure to light. They are absolutely beautiful, but they may not be so nice to have in your office.”
She described orchids as either long-time employees who are resistant to change or new employees who are trying to adjust to a new position. Sometimes they are employees whose job skills don’t match the position. “They need to be cultivated carefully and require a lot of hand holding and recognition,” said MacDonald.
Daisies aren’t quite as needy. “They are hearty and don’t require much attention. They grow anywhere and they keep coming back,” she said. Daisies are not totally independent, but require some coaching, a little feedback and some recognition. “In most organizations, daisies are the majority. As a manager, you must learn how to categorize the different daisies and then decide how much time each one needs and how to mentor them,” said MacDonald.
Ultimately, an organization that is full of weeds is ideal. “Weeds fend for themselves, they don’t need much attention and they seek the opportunity to grow,” she said. “But you have to pay attention and spend time with the weeds or they will go everywhere and overlook the rules or protocol.”
Whatever combination of orchids, daisies and weeds your organization has, MacDonald stressed the successful nurturing of the employees under a manager’s care because it will always reflect back on the manager’s success. “In the end the gardener will be judged by the health and beauty of the garden,” she said.
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