ABCs for Managers who Lead – N is for Nurture

N is for Nurture
Photo credit: MSH Staff
     Photo credit: Warren Zelman

What image does the word “nurture” bring up for you? For some people it might be the image of a mother breastfeeding a baby or kissing a scrape on a child’s knee. For others it could be an image of their own garden with plants they have grown from seeds. And for even others it might be something like caring for oneself and others in a more emotional or spiritual way.

Every blade of grass has an angel that bends over it and whispers, “Grow! Grow!”
-The Talmud

I love this image of “nurture” as a gentle whisper of encouragement and believe that it aligns with the way in which we, as leaders and managers, are to nurture each other and our organizations.

Imagine for a moment that each person in your personal or professional life is a separate blade of grass. It may not be up to you to meet their daily needs for food, water, or light, but you can help them grow through quiet encouragement.

Reflect back to a time in your life when you experienced either personal or professional growth. What were the circumstances? What happened? Who or what whispered in your ear to grow? What was the specific message?

Here is Maria’s story –

I was working in a private company where my supervisor was kind and considerate to me. However, she gave me much more than that. She saw my strengths and asked me to do more and more tasks that used my strengths. As I achieved one success after another, she congratulated me for a job well done. This was a time of great growth in my professional life and I attribute it to the way in which my supervisor gently stretched me and acknowledged my accomplishments.

Here is Patrick’s story –

I had been going through a very hard time in my personal life. My wife died giving birth to our third child and I was left with three small children. I was sad, angry, worried and exhausted – all at once. My parents valued self-sufficiency and told me never to ask for help so I was also very alone with all of my problems. However, I knew some people in my neighborhood and they reached out to me.

Without my asking, they helped me with small things like shopping, watching the children, and cooking. In that time of desperation, I grew personally in ways I had never thought possible. I learned to be profoundly grateful and to trust other people, even to be willing to share my problems with them. This experience has opened my eyes to the importance of community and has made me a better person.

Later I realized that I also had to nurture myself so I would be strong enough to take care of the children and continue to do my job. For example, I was a better, less irritable father when I had had enough sleep.

Nurturing well

As managers we are also called upon to nurture the talents of individuals that make up our organizations, our departments, and our teams; and while this requires a different focus it also requires many of the same skills.

  • Observe the organization. What is already good and what is lacking? What exists, but just barely? What would make the organization even better than it is today?
  • Identify what you want to nurture. Is it confidence? Expertise? Teamwork? Accountability?
  • Determine the best way to “whisper” to them to provide gentle encouragement. What specific words or ways do you need to use to provide encouragement? Which of these are most appropriate for the situation? How much is direct involvement and change? How much is creating an atmosphere or environment that supports growth?
  • Commit to growth. It takes persistence and stamina. Remember, you may be working “against” an existing culture that limits growth.
  • Don’t ever stop “whispering.” Keep supporting growth even after it appears that your desired result has been achieved. It will take a while to be fully rooted in the organization and may need reinforcement as times change.

Videos for consideration

For more on nurturing as a management capacity, see how others view nurture:

How to nurture talent with K. Ramkumar, Executive Director, ICICI Bank Limited ( Leadership), Bizpunditz

Nurture Your Child’s Inner Brilliance – The Key to Your Child’s Happiness and Success with Connie Allen

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