Roots Before Growth: Business Lessons from Plant Propagation
Widen your horizon
On my windowsill, there are several small jars filled with water. Inside each jar, a plant cutting patiently waits, as roots slowly begin to form. Some sprout quickly, while others take longer, showing no sign of growth for weeks. A few don’t root at all.
When a cutting grows strong roots, I know it’s ready to be planted in soil—ready to thrive with more space, more nutrients, and more attention. The ones that don’t? I gently let them go, knowing not every attempt will flourish.
This simple ritual mirrors how businesses should approach opportunities.
Nurture Many, Focus on the Ones That Take Root
In business, opportunities come in all shapes and sizes: new markets, potential partnerships, product ideas, or marketing strategies. At first glance, many seem promising. It’s tempting to dive headfirst into every possibility, but that’s like planting every cutting in soil without checking if it has roots.
Instead, businesses should start by nurturing a variety of ideas. Test them. Observe them. See which ones show signs of potential. Not every opportunity will flourish, and that’s okay. The key is to identify which efforts are developing strong roots and then allocate more resources to help them grow.
Patience is Part of the Process
You can’t rush a plant to grow roots, no matter how much water or sunlight you give it. Some cuttings need time to establish themselves, and opportunities in business are no different. Growth doesn’t always happen on your timeline.
It’s easy to feel discouraged when results don’t come quickly, but patience can reveal hidden potential. Give your ideas time to develop. Keep nurturing, adjusting, and observing. Some of the most rewarding successes come from efforts that seemed slow to start but blossomed when the timing was right.
Diversity Breeds Resilience
I don’t have just one jar on my windowsill; I have several. Why? Because not every cutting will root. By nurturing multiple plants, I increase the chances that some will thrive.
In business, diversifying your efforts reduces risk. Relying on a single strategy, client, or product can leave you vulnerable. Exploring different markets, testing varied marketing approaches, or developing a range of offerings increases your chances of success. Some initiatives will flourish, some won’t—and that’s part of the process.
Knowing When to Let Go
Not every cutting grows roots, no matter how much care you give it. In business, it’s just as important to recognize when an opportunity isn’t working. Holding on too long can drain your resources and distract you from more promising ventures.
Letting go doesn’t mean failure; it means you’re making space for growth elsewhere. Evaluate regularly:
Is this opportunity showing signs of progress?
Are the returns worth the effort and investment?
Does it align with your core mission and long-term goals?
If the answer is no, it might be time to shift focus.
How to Assess Where to Focus Your Attention
Deciding where to allocate resources can be challenging. Here’s a simple framework to guide you:
Potential for Growth: Is the opportunity scalable? Does it show early signs of traction?
Alignment with Core Values: Does it support your mission and long-term vision?
Resource Efficiency: Are you getting meaningful results relative to the effort and investment?
Market Demand: Is there a clear need or desire for what you're offering?
Sustainability: Can this opportunity thrive over time, or is it just a short-term gain?
By regularly assessing these factors, you can focus on the opportunities with the strongest roots, nurturing them into sustainable growth.
Final Thoughts
Growth isn’t about chasing every opportunity. It’s about nurturing many, being patient, diversifying your efforts, and knowing when to let go. Just like those jars on my windowsill, your business will flourish when you create the right environment for roots to grow—and then give your energy to what truly thrives.