I've been fascinated with the idea of plants having consciousness and being able to talk with one another since our family went to Rocky Mountain National Park a number of years ago. While there, my sons and I took a horseback tour and saw the impact pine beetles were having on jack pines there.
The pines, in order to protect themselves, secrete sap into the hole bored by the beetle, forcing it out. There had to be a way all the trees learned this trick to save themselves. They must have a way to understand threats and then communicate solutions to others. It seemed common sense simple once I opened up the possibility that there may be other ways to be intelligent and communicate than how we do it.
This very interesting article from Quartz outlines the debate around plant consciousness.
What could this possibly mean for leadership? Imagine if you opened yourself, and your team, up to possibilities you might not normally see, ideas that are outside of standard convention.
What if you posed a problem or an opportunity at such a high-level and empowered people to tackle it with abandon? What could be done if you humbled yourself to concepts outside of your sphere of knowledge and embrace unknowns - in the world, in your people, in yourself?
Children do this all the time when they play because their knowledge base is low, they have less baggage and it's fun to discover.
Challenge yourself and those around you to get out of your own head, respect situations and explore the nuances and mutations that create transformational change.
