Make Like a Tree and Grow in the New Work World
Have you ever found an object in nature that really called out to you to stop and ponder its meaning? That object for me is a tree. Lately, as in the past, these beautiful parts of nature have gotten my attention. Recently, the Houston area’s bad storms and heavy winds have brought trees down, tearing up my yard. And not too long ago, in 2019, a trip to Malta reminded me of trees’ special significance in my personal and professional arenas.
Lately, when I’ve thought more deeply about how the symbolism of trees could relate to the New Work World, I came upon a quote by the French writer Victor Hugo that really speaks to the changes and challenges we are all facing:
“Do like trees: change the leaves, but keep the roots. So, change your ideas, but keep your principles.”
As a recruiter for many years, I see many challenges for both employers and employees in the New Work World. Employers all over the globe are dealing with the “great resignation” of employees leaving jobs, as well as trying to fill new positions post-Covid but facing unprecedented talent shortages. And candidates and employees post-Covid are scratching their heads, asking themselves why they are not getting offers or, if they have jobs, why they feel so unfulfilled and what they can do to have a career that might better align with who they are and what they really enjoy.
Through the ages, trees have been noted for their strength and ability to survive difficult elements. Also, many parallels have been drawn between trees and humans’ characteristics and abilities. And as I have mentioned in a previous article, the behavioral scientist and researcher Joanne Raptis reminds us to:
“Be like a tree.
Stay grounded.
Connect with your roots.
Turn over a new leaf.
Bend before you break.
Enjoy your unique natural beauty.
Keep growing.”
Let’s investigate how we can incorporate the quotes from Hugo and Raptis in the context of the New Work World. Let’s see if we can investigate how the age-old symbolism of the tree might have present-day meaning and allow us, both employers and employees, to overcome challenges. In over 35 years of being a recruiter, I’ve never seen jobs remain unfilled so long and the bottom line of our corporate and personal situations so severely affected.
Additionally, as I reflect on my trip to my father’s homeland of Malta in 2019, I observe how the people of Malta during World War II, their lives torn apart, found a way to remain strong. We can too: Trees can weather the toughest of storms, which is why they are such a prominent symbol for strength. Let’s look at some of the lessons the tree might be teaching us in our personal and professional lives:
1. Be Like a Tree
The tree can symbolize one’s individuality, as trees are all unique with their branches sprouting differently at the base. A wide variety of current challenges can teach us to look deep within at who we are and evaluate how our life could have deeper meaning. Even if we have had to face some downtime — whether because of losing a job, losing a partner or making a deliberate change by choice — finding ourselves more alone affords us an opportunity to honor and nourish our unique talents and abilities, allowing us to become a better version of ourselves. By branching out and expanding those talents, we can root ourselves in personal fulfillment and growth for our and the company’s greater good.
2. Change the Leaves But Keep the Roots
No matter how many metaphorical storms try to disrupt our vision of our core, we need to change the leaves but keep the roots. This is the time to focus on allowing the roots of who we are, or who we can be, dig deep into the earth of our soul and not be shaken by job losses, not being able to check all the boxes on a job order of prerequisites or having to be more flexible on candidate requirements. The people who remain grounded through the storms of life will be recognized by bosses, peers and family as pillars of strength, with their determination to persevere, which will serve them well in the future. I’ll put it another way” As a gal from the Midwest accustomed to seeing leaves turn color this time of year, I suggest changing your own colors of success, if you will, to be in alignment with the New Work World. Be open to shedding those old leaves, aka ways of thinking, and be excited about the new growth that awaits.
3. Connect with Your Roots
This might be the opportune time to connect to your roots. They might provide validation of who you are and what is important to you. Take the time to learn about your ancestry and heritage. For me, learning more about my ancestral roots has propelled me to try hard to connect with the stories that my loving father always talked about to honor those qualities, abilities and strengths. If you have an artistic flair that you have never actualized, pull out that paintbrush, get out those craft materials, make that special necklace, etc. The roots can be external or internal. The key is to connect with them and honor them for your own wellbeing, growth and happiness.
4. Turn Over a New Leaf
If you tend to hold on to negatives or complain about what has happened — maybe you lost your job, or a friend or partner moved on — now is the time to see how you can make lemonade out of lemons. For example, if you have been a buyer in the retail industry, how can you transfer those skills and refine the keywords on your résumé to make you a marketable candidate in a new industry? Look at your transferrable skills and how you can package them in an honest and true way to fit the algorithms of today’s digital world to get your résumé selected for that interview. If you are an employer, how can you become more flexible in your requirements to consider a person who doesn’t have every single requirement on the job order but has the passion, determination and proven track record of success in previous situations? Or how can you not let a big change in your life make you bitter and instead demonstrate gratitude in order to start over on a new life path?
5. Bend Before You Break
If what you have been doing for the past 20 years is not in demand in the New Work World, bend your idea of what you have done to what you can do in the present and future. No one likes change. It’s not what we are used to. But if we keep doing what we have been doing and it’s not yielding results, we need to bend before we end up hurting ourselves, or “breaking,” causing us physical and/or emotional harm. Sometimes taking a risk in an entirely new direction is an exciting experience that allows one to grow in ways that they never thought possible. I’ve placed so many people in my long history of recruitment who didn’t have every single requirement on a job order — and am delighted to see them at an industry conference 10–15 years later, in alignment with their passions and interests and having moved up the ladder and served their company well.
6. Keep Growing
We all need to continue to grow. Forced growth isn’t always so bad. If a downsizing situation is allowing you to take online classes with other professionals from other countries, think of the expanded awareness and education you are getting. Being forced out of our comfort zone is sometimes what we need for growth to take place in a new and different direction. The key is to never stop growing and adapting. We can get so comfortable in a role we’ve had for years that we don’t continue to grow. Look at this growth opportunity as a new lease on life to expand who you are and meet new and exciting people who can make your life more fulfilling and enriching.
The tree is a sacred symbol with meaning in many cultures and spiritual philosophies, showing its universal recognition and significance. Every tree begins as a single seed and, when properly nourished, it develops a core strength. The Maltese, who suffered extreme hardship during World War II, are like the tree, in that after they declared their independence they thrived. With nourishment and perseverance, we can overcome anything. We are more like that tree than we ever thought.
You have an opportunity now, like the tree, to branch out and grow in ways that you could never have imagined!
