One of the traits I have noted in great leaders is they know how to let things lie. They patiently remain inactive. Even when people are panicky and critical around them, they sit still. They know how to wait. They know how to live in expectation and peace.
My grandfather is one of the greatest influences in my life. I grew up two blocks from his house. We were very close. He was part Swiss and American Indian. I think Black Foot. He lost both mother and father to alcoholism. He hated alcohol.
We used to raise a garden on an acre of land every summer. We grew tomatoes. We grew popcorn. Some horrible tasting stuff called Kohlrabi. I am not sure of the spelling. I have never seen it in a store. It tastes something like brussel sprouts and cabbage together.
We grew a lot of carrots. My granddad would tell me every year, “Don’t pull the carrots and check them.” I would say OK. But I was always curious how they were growing under the ground. The catch was, as the season went on, the carrots I had pulled up to inspect were dwarfed and deformed. I was busted.
I think leading is like leaving the carrots in the ground long enough to grow. And leading means letting others leave their carrots in the ground too.
So don’t pull your carrots up. Just let things lie and let them grow.
