As I watch a paw paw tree take shape in my yard, I’m reminded of an essential truth: it will never bear fruit on its own. For paw paws to bear fruit, they need diversity through the presence of another paw paw tree of a different variety nearby to facilitate cross-pollination.
If we were all cloned to be the same “perfect” person, that would be a pretty boring world to live in, so we could probably all agree that diversity is essential. Diversity is a fundamental design element of life, and it appears in nature in ways that help me apply that basic principle to my work experience.
I see this play out in my garden. Instead of controlling every “pest,” I’ve learned to let the ecosystem do its work. Birds, beetles, and other beneficial creatures naturally balance things out, so I’m not overrun with any single “pest.” The garden thrives because of diversity, not despite it.
Contrast that with how we often treat our lawns. We demand a monoculture of Bermuda or fescue, working tirelessly against nature’s urge to bring clover, crabgrass, and wild ground covers into the mix. Don’t get me wrong, I love a beautiful, thick, lush turf of fescue to walk in barefoot, but in our need for control, we miss the richness and resilience that variety brings.
It makes me think: how often do we do the same thing in our work and relationships? We gravitate toward people like us. We control for sameness because it feels safe. But sameness can limit the creation of new concepts or a more well-rounded idea. It’s when we invite others who challenge our assumptions, stretch our thinking, and bring new ideas that our businesses — and our lives — truly thrive.
Nature whispers this lesson everywhere: diversity is strength, and it’s the path to abundance.
Closing Reflection Question: Where could you let go of control and invite diversity to do its work in your own life or organization?
This post first appeared on August 29, 2025 in Sowing Success, my weekly LinkedIn newsletter on leadership and organic farming. Read the original on LinkedIn.
