“Sitting quietly, doing nothing, spring comes, and the grass grows by itself.”
— Zen Proverb
Spring has a way of arriving quietly—and yet, everything changes. Days lengthen. Ideas soften. Energy returns. For those in leadership, this season offers more than just a shift in the weather. It offers a powerful metaphor for how growth truly happens: not through constant effort, but through aligned presence.
At its best, leadership mirrors the wisdom of spring. It makes space for renewal, invites reflection, and embraces the slow, intentional rhythms of meaningful change.
Here are three ways to lead into spring with greater curiosity, clarity, and presence:
1. Observe Before You Act
As leaders, we’re often wired to fix, to direct, to move things forward. But early spring teaches us that real transformation begins in observation.
Take time to step back—not to disengage, but to notice:
- What is quietly emerging on your team?
- Where are signs of energy or new growth that may need nurturing?
- What dynamics have shifted over the winter season, and what do they need now?
The discipline of simply noticing—without rushing to solution—builds a deeper kind of leadership presence. One that fosters trust, insight, and connection.
Bonus practice: Invite your team into observation. Start a meeting with a simple check-in: What are you noticing right now—in the work, the team, or yourself?
2. Create Space to Support Growth
“Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.”
— Lao Tzu
We often think of leadership as doing more—more structure, more output, more direction. But spring reminds us: growth doesn’t come from pressure. It comes from space.
In your leadership this season, consider:
- What can you clear away—outdated processes, unhelpful meetings, mental clutter—to create room for what’s next?
- Where is your team asking (explicitly or not) for more breathing room?
- What might happen if you made space for stillness in your leadership—not as a break from work, but as a vital part of it?
Whether it’s through a thoughtful reset of priorities or a physical decluttering of your workspace, space-making isn’t passive. It’s an intentional act of leadership that creates conditions for alignment, focus, and renewal.
3. Lead with Awareness and Appreciation
Spring brings us back into contact with the source of things—sunlight, soil, nourishment. In leadership, this is a moment to reconnect with what truly sustains your team.
Slow down long enough to notice:
- Who’s been quietly holding things together?
- What systems, processes, or relationships have made your recent successes possible?
- How often do you pause to acknowledge the human effort behind the output?
Appreciation isn’t a bonus—it’s a core leadership behavior. When done sincerely and regularly, it reinforces culture, strengthens loyalty, and re-centers the “why” behind the work.
Practicing this kind of mindful awareness in everyday leadership—whether during a 1:1, a team lunch, or while reviewing quarterly goals—helps ground your leadership in humanity, not just performance.
Let the Season Inform Your Leadership
Spring doesn’t need to be managed—it unfolds. The same is true for meaningful leadership. Not everything needs to be driven. Some things need to be noticed. Tended. Honored.
This season, challenge yourself to lead with less force and more presence. Ask better questions. Create thoughtful space. Offer intentional appreciation.
Because when we align with the natural rhythms of growth, we lead in a way that is not just effective—but essential.
