Managing people is less about fixing problems and more about nurturing growth. Here’s why the best leaders treat their teams like living ecosystems, not machines to repair.
In a world obsessed with efficiency, many leaders fall into the trap of thinking of teams as machines—parts to tweak, systems to optimize. But people don’t work that way. A team is more like a garden: it requires care, patience, and awareness of the seasons.
Good managers don’t “fix” people—they observe, provide the right environment, pull the weeds (toxic habits or unclear processes), and water what works. Growth takes time. Not every flower blooms on the same day.
Want a thriving culture? Shift from control to cultivation.