Tradition - what my Grandma's plant has taught me.

When my grandmother was alive, she was always taking care of everyone around her. She would watch our dog, Max, when the family went on vacation. When we came home, he'd go on a hunger strike, because Gram would make him bacon and eggs for his meals. She swore he hated his food and she wouldn't let him starve. Well, let me tell you, he never went hungry. But also - how sweet was she to cook for our dog? She was always going overboard for everyone around her.

She was a wonderful cook, and had an easy smile, with a biting sense of humor. She didn't hold back and we always knew exactly where we stood with her. She was filled with love and laughter even though we knew she had a hard life. I never met my grandfather, because he passed away before I was born. My grandmother lost the love of her life way too soon - but never let that stop her love from overflowing. She loved her family and took great care of us - right down to our late, great, childhood dog, Max!

When my grandmother passed away, we started a lovely tradition with one of her plants. It was a crazy, overgrown, hearty golden pothos that lived in her house as long as I could remember. When she passed, my sister - who is kind, caring, sentimental and has a true green thumb took the plant. She had a wonderful idea, and began to plan. She clipped some cuttings, rooted them in water, and replanted for me. She gave me a beautiful pot with a hearty batch of the same plant - and while I've moved, re-potted, and changed the dirt several times - I've still got her original plant in my front window.

My grandmother has been gone since 2009 - that plant is still around. In addition to my plant, each grandchild has been gifted a "grandma plant" at their wedding shower. What started with me and my sisters carried over to all our cousins and all 9 of her grandchildren now have a "grandma plant" in their home. This plant has outlived it's original home and gardener, but it kept living because my sister chose to replant it and take care of it. She took the time to intentionally transfer this beautiful, sentimental thing, and share it with the people my grandmother loved most of all - her grandkids.

It actually isn't all that hard to relate this kind of resilience to the way we work. In business, longevity comes from intentionally sharing information, moving things around, adjusting the environment, culture and relationships so the organization can survive changes, mergers or reorgs. A company, like my plant, can outlive its founders if someone is willing to take the time, divide the roots, share the soil and nurture it into the next generation.

We didn't keep the plant because it keeps performing year after year. We don't keep watering our plants because it's high performing. We have it around because it carries meaning for us. It represents our Grandma - and her love for us - and our love for her. Think about your organization like my grandma plant. When you go through a merger or a reorg, you're not throwing it away - you're dividing the roots so it can live on. In new pots, with new owners, carrying the original love and value with it.

I think if leaders would think about how this tradition can make a company stronger over time, perhaps the way we handle changes and transitions might be managed a bit more gently with a little more compassion and a delicate touch. If you've got big changes slated for this year, reach out for a little compassionate communication advice. I'd love to help you navigate these changes with some TLC!