Today, at my coworking space called THRIVE Coworking — hands down the best coworking space thanks to its incredible community and top-notch community managers — I walked past a framed quote that stopped me in my tracks.
Funny thing is, I’ve probably passed it a hundred times without noticing. But today, it caught my eye. And given how often I draw lessons from nature, I’m honestly surprised it didn’t hit me sooner.
The quote simply read:
“The day you plant the seed is not the day you eat the fruit.”
It’s such a simple truth, one I live by as a farmer. But seeing it in a workspace reminded me just how relevant it is in leadership and business too.
When I’m on the farm, I don’t rush nature. I know that each seed needs time — time to root, to rise, to be shaped by its environment. I can nurture it, give it the best chance to grow, but I can’t force it to bear fruit on my timeline.
That same patience is something I’m learning to carry into my work as a CEO. Whether it’s launching a new service, mentoring a team member, or shifting a company culture, real change doesn’t happen overnight. It happens gradually — invisibly at first — through consistent, thoughtful effort.
And often, just like in the garden, the growth you don’t see is the most important part.
That quote hanging in Thrive wasn’t just a decoration — it was an invitation to slow down, breathe, and trust the process. I’m grateful to be in a space that values inspiration and reflection. It’s a reminder that the best environments, whether farms or companies, are the ones designed to cultivate growth — not demand it instantly.
So if you’re planting new seeds in your life, your work, or your community — keep tending to them. With enough care and time, the fruit will come.
This post first appeared on July 25, 2025 in Sowing Success, my weekly LinkedIn newsletter on leadership and organic farming. Read the original on LinkedIn.
