Want Real Impact? Get Your Hands Dirty.

#businessenvironment #businessgrowth #coachingtip #communication #connecttothecore #growthmindset May 30, 2025

There’s something grounding about gardening. The soil under your nails, the quiet rhythms of tending to something that grows over time—it’s a place where being present feels effortless (if you have a green thumb that is). And funny enough, it’s in those quiet moments among the dirt, mulch and flowers that I find some of the clearest insights about how we communicate with each other.

Here’s one I’ve been saying for years: We are all 360-degree people.

We are full spectrum, layered individuals with different dimensions that come forward depending on where we are and who we’re with. That’s not inauthenticity—it’s adaptability. It’s presence. And it’s human.

The Right Tools for the Soil You’re In

Imagine this: you wear a three-piece suit to work every day. It’s tailored, intentional, and reflects a version of you that is powerful and polished. Now picture wearing that same suit to pull weeds and prune your backyard hydrangeas. Makes no sense, right? You’d ruin the suit—and honestly, you’d look odd to the neighbors.

Of course you would change your clothes. Maybe jeans and an old tee. Something that lets you move, sweat, dig in. And even then, it’s still you. The suit didn’t define your identity, and the gardening gear doesn’t erase your professionalism. It’s simply a different expression of the same person.

That’s how authentic communication works. We don’t need to flatten ourselves into one way of showing up if we make sure that whatever version we’re offering is real.

Tip for Everyday Communication

Before any meaningful conversation, ask yourself: Who do I need to be in this communication? Which of my authentic traits can I draw from to get the best results? Then, show up from that place—without pretending, without posturing.

Authentic Leadership: It Starts from Within

We tend to speak about leadership in terms of influence, vision, or outcomes. And real leadership—memorable, meaningful leadership—begins with alignment. It’s knowing who you are, what you value, and being able to communicate that clearly even when the stakes are high.

Authentic leaders don’t perform confidence—they embody clarity. They don’t need to wear the proverbial “suit” 24/7. They know when to take off the jacket, roll up their sleeves, and meet people eye-to-eye.

Tip for Authentic Leadership

Reflect Weekly: Did my actions match my values this week? If not, what small recalibration is needed? Self-awareness is where authentic leadership grows.

Team Dynamics: Cultivating Psychological Safety

In a thriving team, authenticity isn’t encouraged—it’s modeled. When people feel they can be themselves at work, creativity flows more freely, hard conversations get easier, and collaboration becomes real—not just a buzzword thrown around.

And authenticity in a team doesn’t mean saying whatever you want without filters(GASP – could you imagine). It means creating an environment where people feel safe to bring their full 360 degrees to the table. As leaders or teammates, we influence that more than we realize.

Tip for Team Dynamics

In your next meeting, start with a quick human check-in. Not “How’s the project?”—but “How are you showing up today?” You’ll be surprised how fast trust grows in that soil.

A Living Practice

Gardening, like communication, is never “done.” There’s always something to tend to—a weed to pull, a patch that needs reseeding, a surprise bloom that reminds us that we’re on the right track. And if we stay close to our roots and let our whole selves breathe in the process, we’ll keep growing something real.

Ready to Dig Deeper?

If this resonates, you’re exactly who we created our new course for. Our new Digital Encore Communication Course is launching soon—and it’s designed for leaders, teams, and humans who want to show up with more clarity, confidence, and authenticity in every conversation.

We’ll go far beyond tips and tactics. You’ll learn to listen with presence, speak with purpose, and tap into the full 360 degrees of who you are—whether you’re leading a team, resolving conflict, or giving feedback that actually lands.