I was inspired to write this topic when I attended one weekend session of flower arrangement and intimate event styling. The florist, having been in the industry for a decade now, mentioned she use the same principles she learned from this task in her life and dealings with her peers. This got me thinking how many lessons can we learn from a simple flower arrangement, that we can relate to our work life?
I love a good flower arrangement, and while I myself am not skilled yet in doing an arrangement, I have a good appreciation for a nicely arranged one. It always makes my day, puts a smile on my face on a gloomy day, and reminds me to stop and smell the flowers. And now, when I look at one, I will not only admire its aesthetic beauty but will be reminded of what lessons I can learn from it as well.
Each part of a flower arrangement plays an important role
A single flower may stand firm and be beautiful, but I still believe nothing could be more beautiful than a full arrangement with mix of several types of flowers, of different colors and sizes, and mix of leaves and ferns.
In a like manner, an organization will reach its full potential if each member is accepted for their uniqueness, and allowed to contribute to the success of the group. We need to appreciate each other’s qualities, no matter how different from ours, to complement our own strengths and weaknesses. The leaves, the ferns, while not the main attraction in a flower arrangement compared to the roses, daisies, orchids, and other “main stars,” are needed to complete the whole arrangement, and without them the flower arrangement may look bare and ordinary.
Each of us, even the lowest ranking among us, has a role to play and create an efficient work. We cannot complete a task without help from one another. If we think we would rather stand alone to get all the praises and honor for ourselves, we have not experienced the greatest joy of sharing victory and glory with a team.
When the florist makes an arrangement, he looks for the flower’s best part and positions the flowers to show their best
We all have a side we prefer, and when we take pictures, we are conscious to always be caught in the best angle. The same way, each person has strengths, which we should discover and allow to be highlighted, rather than focus on the bad side or weakness. Together, if all our good sides come out, we will produce a work that we will all be proud of.
Leaders should be able to recognize the good sides of their people. They have to help their people shine and show their best. This way, their people will complement them and help them grow their business.
Flowers bloom and wilt
Not all flowers in an arrangement have the same life span, some wilt faster. Same way, not everyone in the organization shines the same time and or stay the same length of time. Sometimes, you have to take the part that has wilted and re-arrange the remaining flowers, or put a few ones, and whenever this happens, a new look is achieved.
We may want our organization to be always the same - constant even - but not everyone stays on no matter how much we want them to. For one reason or another, there will always be movements. Whenever this happens, it will never be the same, and sometimes movements are required to introduce improvements!
Even wilted flowers can have their use
When flowers start to wilt, we usually throw them away, but some we keep because they still look good or they mean a lot to us. So we dry them and find another use for them, like for potpourri.
In an organization, some people reach a point where they no longer serve the purpose they used to, but we may still find them useful for another role.
No matter what our age is, we can always reinvent ourselves. We hope people will be able to see this in us, and always give us a chance to be useful and productive. Let us not be fast to judge on anyone who has slowed or aged, for there can always be use for someone who remains to have the drive and desire.
Isn’t it surprising that even a simple flower arrangement can give us so much lessons? Like flowers, we are God’s unique creation. We need to be allowed to bloom in our own pace and time as God has planned for us. A real flower has its small imperfections which makes it different and more beautiful. Embrace our imperfections and learn to highlight our strengths and live joyfully.
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