Grow Down, Then Up
Trees grow in two directions at the same time.
They grow down to create stability, and they grow up to create reach, visibility, and growth. The strength above the ground is only possible because of what has been built below it. Without deep roots, the tree may look impressive for a while, but it will struggle to withstand pressure, wind, storms, and changing conditions.
Leadership works the same way.
Many leaders focus heavily on upward growth. They want better results, stronger performance, greater influence, more responsibility, and higher visibility. These are all important. However, sustainable leadership growth must also move down into the foundations. That means building self-awareness, discipline, emotional control, clear values, consistency, and personal accountability.
A leader who only grows upwards can become exposed. They may look capable in calm conditions, but pressure reveals the weakness in their roots.
When complexity increases, they may react emotionally, avoid difficult conversations, over-control the team, or lose alignment between what they say and what they do.
Leaders who grow down first create stability. They understand themselves, their triggers, their standards, and their impact on others. That stability then allows them to grow upwards with confidence. They can make better decisions, hold people accountable, develop others, and lead through uncertainty without becoming the instability in the room.
This same principle applies to developing others. People need roots before reach. They need clarity, capability, standards, feedback, coaching, and confidence before they can be expected to perform at higher levels.
Growth without stability creates pressure. Stability without growth creates stagnation. Strong leadership requires both.
RDL’s top two tips for leaders are simple.
First, strengthen the roots before demanding more growth. Build clarity around expectations, behaviours, accountability, and decision making. People perform better when they understand what matters, what good looks like, and how their work connects to the bigger picture.
Second, develop people through stretch and support. Give them room to grow, but do not abandon them in the process. Coach their thinking, test their judgement, ask better questions, and help them build confidence through ownership.
Great leadership grows in two directions. Downward into character, discipline, and stability.
Upward into performance, influence, and impact.
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