Attribute #3: The Wisdom of the Seasons

Explanation: Enlightening Leaders live and lead from the wisdom of the sacred teachings of the seasons. Each season represents a different aspect of the natural world, and the sacred teachings emphasize the importance of finding harmony and balance within ourselves and with the world around us.

“1 To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: 2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, from one of the “wisdom books” of the Old Testament,

Spring is the season of rebirth; a great time of year to launch new products, services, and initiatives. Summer represents abundance, vitality, productivity, and manifesting results, a great time to expand. Autumn symbolizes the transition from sharing our abundance to winding down, our productivity, letting go, and harvesting what we have gleaned. Winter is for reflecting on what no longer serves us; perhaps removing underperforming assets, products, programs, initiatives, or employees, and dreaming a new dream for our leadership and our lives.

It's a time to go inward, nurture oneself, and prepare for the rebirth of spring.

Difference from Traditional Orthodoxy: Leaders are unaware of the sacred teachings of the wisdom of the seasons. Businesses and societies predictably operate from the Gregorian calendar. Businesses are structured on quarterly, and annual cycles. There is no awareness of how to use the teaching of each season to inform decisions to improve business performance and results. Nature has cycles, and so does business, so why not have them intertwined? 

Key Question:  What new possibilities may be available to you and your leadership if you were to incorporate the wisdom of the seasons into how you make decisions and lead?

Practical Application: Find a resource to help you study, learn, and apply the wisdom of the seasons both in your personal life and in your leadership.