Reflect ... Reset ... Relax

Don't worry about tomorrow, for each day has enough trouble of its own--Jesus (Matthew 6:25-34).

A Tree in a Rock?!

Follow the hypnotizing straightness of I-80 west from Cheyenne, WY, and in about 30 miles, you'll notice a break in the linear madness. The four lanes separate briefly, rejoin, and continue their inexorable march to the horizon. Continue your approach and you will find that this blip in the matrix is caused by the simplest of objects--a Limber Pine tree.

This tree is unusual in itself because there are few, if any, other trees to be found for miles around. The plains of Wyoming with their high altitude; extreme temperatures; howling, semi-truck rolling winds; and semi-arid climate are not conducive to verdant patches of arborescent splendor! Even more unusual is this fact--the tree is growing from a large piece of granite. This is not granite covered with a deep layer of nutritious topsoil. There is, in fact, no soil to be found--only rock.

First documented in 1867, the local Native American tribes claim this tree has been in place for generations. This tree has literally been caught between a rock and a hard place for perhaps centuries, slowly doing what trees do … reshaping its environment and finding life. While unusual on the wind-swept plains of Wyoming, species like pines, junipers, and cedars are actually well-known for living on rock alone. These trees survive by "sending roots deep into crevices, capturing moisture from rain and air, and slowly breaking down rock into soil over time" (https://treeplantation.com/rock-trees).

Likewise, leaders find themselves in their share of hostile environments. Toxic supervisors, recalcitrant followers, funding and personnel cuts, unethical decisions, and more all contribute to leaders all-too-often caught between the difficult and the seeming impossible and with nary an avenue for escape. Can a leader also reshape the environment and find life within? If so, how? The Limber Pine offers three steps for practicing lifegiving leadership in a harsh environment.

No, don't be a kiss-up!

Depending on the season and time of day, the Wyoming plains have an average relative humidity of 35-55% and an average rainfall of 10-16 inches per year! Mississippi, one of the wettest states in the USA, averages 55-65 inches per year and an average humidity of 75-90% annually. This Limber Pine strategically draws moisture from the air and from the rain when available while also extending roots deep into the rock and sucking up every bit of moisture possible.

In no way is this advisement for the leader in harsh conditions to be a kiss-up! Kissing-up (a.k.a., being a syncophant) is more a reflection of poor character and a lack of integrity). Rather, this is a reminder to REFLECT on what resources are available and to find nourishment where possible. Jesus, for instance, reminds His followers that God is faithful to provide for the birds and the flowers, and will therefore provide abundantly for His people (see Matthew 6:25-31, along with the examples of Elijah, Daniel, Moses, David, to name a few).

REFLECT on what is.

First, it fosters an attitude of gratefulness for what is already available, as well as for the advantages already received.

Second, reflection makes us aware of other avenues of life. Manning is cut--are there are pools of talent to draw from? Money is tight--are there other options to be tapped? Forced to "do more with less"--perhaps now is a good time to cut those programs that are great memories, but not really productive.

Terraforming, anyone?

It is fascinating to me that these trees growing in rocks reshape the hard rock, slowly breaking it down, and creating soil to live in. They do this by efficiently and effectively spreading their roots into even the smallest of crevices, withdrawing nutrients, and working over time. In other words, they keep their focus on what matters.

The leader who finds himself/herself in harsh conditions does well to do the same and RESET on the main idea. Losing focus is a sure path to death. Resetting is the same as recalibrating, refocusing, and reshaping. What is important? What is the big idea? What is the mission or the goal? In speaking to His followers, Jesus reminds them that their focus is to be the "Kingdom of God and His righteousness" (Matt 6:33-34).

RESET on what is most important.

I recently had the privilege of helping with a retirement ceremony. About 20 minutes before the ceremony was to begin, a major piece of the ceremony fell through. The retiree could initially only see failure … loss … embarrassment …. However, as her friends and supporters gathered around, one theme resounded most loudly. This is a minor blip; other resources were available; in the end, she would be retired and most people would have no idea that anything untoward happened. Once she recalibrated back to the goal of the event, we were all able to reshape the battlespace, and it turned out to be all that she wanted!

This ain't no vacation!

Lithophytes (plants that grow on or in rocks) have the ability to dig their roots deep into whatever rocky substrata they find themselves in. Growing into the smallest of spaces or spreading their roots widely across the surface, they anchor themselves deeply into the surrounding environment.

RELAX back into the basics.

Wyoming winds have been know to overturn semi-trucks and trains (no lie--see here)! The short limber pine, however, hunkers down and remains in place. The branches may be tossed to and fro by the winds, but the roots hold fast, anchored into the difficulties.

This is where RELAX comes in. It is the idea of a boxer settling his stance, settling back into it, and staying flexible in the upper body while firmly anchored in the lower body. In like manner, the leader in harsh circumstances settles back into the known--through training, experience, and mentorship--and is thereby better able to absorb the blows and to flex to meet the new challenges. Again, Jesus reminds His followers of this in Matthew 6:35 when he states they should not worry about tomorrow, for "each day has enough trouble of its own." While planning for the future is always a necessity, moving to meet the future too quickly leaves the present open to trouble.

"Pick yourself up ... and start all over again"

Leadership is hard. Leaders too often find themselves practicing their art in a harsh environment, beset on all sides by winds of change, stony dislike, and the glare of publicity. Rather than wither up and die, the resilient leader follows the example of the Limber Pine and REFLECTS ... RESETS ... RELAXES, finding life in even the harshest of climates.