Homegrown Tomatoes
Posted on Monday, August 11, 2008 by Frank Roche
See that homegrown tomato in that picture? It’s a 2 lb. heirloom tomato from an 1880s variety called “Goliath.” It’s the first one off my vine this year. I spent over 75 days cultivating that tomato, from the time it was just a twinkle in the eye of a 3-inch-tall plant…until now. I watered and nurtured and worried about that tomato. And the payoff was exquisite.
Which made me think about the instant and continuous gratification era we live in and have to deal with in human resources. (One of my favorite prayers: Lord, give me patience, but give it to me now.) What’s with the rush? Why can’t we slow down a little bit and cultivate a few ideas?
- You know why consulting houses are able to sell you the latest compensation scheme every year? Because you want instant results.
- You know why you’ve had three different performance management “systems” in the last 5 years? Because you want instant results.
- You know why you think that just popping out the latest and greatest course on employee engagement is going to turn your culture around? Because you want instant results.
Here’s an idea: Stand back, take a deep breath, and ask yourself if you’re moving too fast to really get a handle on what’s happening. It takes courage and conviction to plant a few ideas and see them through. I think that’s what real HR leaders do — they stick to it and don’t go for the gimmick.
Have you ever tasted a vine-ripened tomato and compared it to a tomato that you bought in the grocery store? Ever examined the color? Looked at the texture? Thought about how that home-grown tomato is something you grew, and not some hybrid that came from some “best practice” factory farm? Sure, do things quickly when you need to, but sometimes cultivating your own ideas are the best of all.
Ron Ulrici
Aug 11th, 2008
Great analogy, thanks!
Home-grown is usually the best. I’ve “borrowed” ideas from the consultants, books, workshops and web sites to, then, “design” my own programs. I “ronitize” almost everything to fit the culture of the organization since most the off-the-shelf (store-bought tomatoes) don’t work to well.
Frank Roche
Aug 11th, 2008
Ron, I didn’t grow these tomatoes from seed, either…but I did wait…and that’s the nature of the game…”Ronitizing” is the way to go!
Meg Bear
Aug 11th, 2008
Excellent post. I believe that a lot of HR departments would do well to pick one (and only one) thing to focus on and give it time to actually yield results. Seems often companies like the starting of things but not the on going nurturing.
Frank Roche
Aug 11th, 2008
Hi Meg, I wish I had said it as succinctly you did: Pick one (and only one) thing to focus on and give it time to actually yield results. That’s just excellent.
I’m afraid it happens to often that one program that would work is replaced with another…and what’s missing is a system.
ANNE CRUDGE
Aug 12th, 2008
Huzzahs for growing such a magnificent tomato! I am salivating at the thought of the eating experience. Does there have to be a message in that?
Frank Roche
Aug 12th, 2008
Thank you, Anne. I must say that I was delighted that the first one from the vine was so good. Nah, there doesn’t have to be an embedded message in salivating at the thought of eating it. I will tell you that I had it sliced on toast, with a bit of mayonnaise. It was delicious!
Kimberly Togman
Aug 13th, 2008
So I hate tomatoes..but I love your analogy! It reminds me of so many great writings from eastern philosophy to Steven Covey around the idea that you can’t rush the seasons, a harvest, etc. Cultivating patience…hmmm….gotta’ hurry up and do that!
Thanks for another great post.
John Hunter
Aug 16th, 2008
I enjoy growing some of my own food. Actually one of the reasons I like it is the ease. I don’t do anything but plant it and then eat (and water a few tmies if it doesn’t rain…). Then much of the summer when I want some food I can just go outside and pick some tasty treats (no having to go to the store…). I eat more healthily too. And with increasing prices now the monetary savings are nice too.