At Bird, we regularly use the tree as an analogy for resilience. It adapts and responds to the changes in the weather around it, it has deep roots to suck up nutrients so it’s healthy and strong (ie it self-cares), it rests and sleeps in winter, it communicates with other trees to share information.
The other day I was discussing diversity with fellow Bird Elloa Barbour, and we realised there was a development to the tree metaphor. Trees don’t often stand alone, they are part of something bigger, they are often part of a forest.
And what makes a rich and resilient forest, is diversity.
We were thinking about those super sad palm tree plantations that are row after row of evenly spaced identical tree. They are not teaming with life, they are not resilient and adaptable. They are there just to provide oil for our consumption. They do not represent the diversity of nature, the resilient diverse power of nature.
A forest on the other hand, has a massive range of tree and plant and mushroom and animal and insect and bird life. It’s all interconnecting in its difference, and it is abundant and rich and powerful.
What we need is to create organisations that are like the forest. In order to be resilient and thriving we need to welcome diversity. And we need to nurture each person in our organisations so they can grow. Diversity isn’t a tick box exercise, it’s how things are in the world, it’s how our organisations should be.
If you would like to explore creating a more resilient organisation from the perspective of diversity, do get in touch with us to discuss how we could work with you.
With love as always, Hannah and Team Bird
Photo by Raphaël Menesclou on Unsplash