Who waters day after day, year after year, without any visible sign of growth? Who keeps believing in something invisible? Who works for years with no proof that the effort will ever pay off?

A Bamboo Farmer does. And that's exactly what makes them worth paying attention to.

Delusional or Visionary?

Every meaningful dream looks a little crazy at first.

Breaking the four-minute mile. Reaching the summit of Everest. Building technologies no one had imagined. These weren't just bold goals. They were, at the time, considered impossible. People dismissed them. Some laughed. Others walked away.

But the world changes because of people who are willing to believe in something they can't yet see.

Bamboo Farmers understand this. Growth often happens underground before it ever shows above the surface. The absence of visible progress is not the same as the absence of progress.

What That Kind of Belief Actually Requires

Belief in the Unseen

It requires trusting what isn't visible yet. Not reckless optimism. A quiet, stubborn faith that the work is doing something even when the results aren't there.

A Compelling Vision

It requires a vision rooted deeply enough to survive doubt. Like a seed planted in cold ground, a dream in its early stages is fragile. It needs to be protected. Nurtured quietly before it's strong enough to stand up to criticism.

Resilience Against Doubt

It requires resilience in the face of discouragement. People will doubt you. Experts will tell you it can't be done. And at some point, your own mind will start to agree with them. The Bamboo Farmer waters anyway.

Persistence

None of this is dramatic. That's the point. Persistence isn't a single heroic moment. It's showing up again tomorrow and the day after, with no guarantee of when things will turn.

Protecting the Dream

There's wisdom in keeping a dream close, especially early on.

Share it too soon, and other people's doubts can reach it before the roots do. Not because their skepticism is always wrong, but because a young dream doesn't yet have the strength to weather it. Water it quietly. Let it build.

There will be time to share it when it's ready.

The Bamboo Farmer's Particular Kind of Faith

Maybe it is a little delusional to believe in something invisible. To trust roots you can't see. To keep watering when nothing is breaking the surface.

But the people who change things tend to be exactly this kind. Not the loudest. Not the most confident. The most consistent. The ones who kept going long after the moment stopped feeling inspiring.

When the bamboo finally shoots up, the world tends to act surprised.

The bamboo farmer isn't.

What are you still watering, even when no one else can see it yet?

Don't think about a pink elephant.

For just a moment, try really hard not to picture one.

What happened?

Most likely, a bright pink elephant marched right into your mind. That's because the brain doesn't process the word "don't" the way we expect it to. The mind has to imagine something before it can attempt to reject it. Your brain hears the image before it hears the instruction.

When you say, "Don't think about a pink elephant," your brain first thinks: pink elephant.

This principle shows up everywhere in life, especially in how we set goals and provide guidance.

The Problem with Negative Goals

Many goals are framed negatively. Don't procrastinate. Don't eat junk food. Don't lose your temper. Don't make mistakes.

These goals are well-intentioned, but they're flawed. They focus your attention on the very behavior you're trying to avoid.

It's like telling a tennis player, "Don't hit the ball into the net."

Where does their attention go? The net.

The brain performs far better when it has a clear target, not just a warning sign.

Give the Mind a Destination

Instead of telling the mind what not to do, tell it what to do.

• Instead of "Don't procrastinate," try "Start the first task for ten minutes."

• Instead of "Don't eat junk food," try "Eat whole foods and drink water."

• Instead of "Don't lose your temper," try "Pause and take three breaths."

• Instead of "Don't hit the net," try "Aim three feet above it."

These are affirmative goals. They give the brain somewhere to go.

A bamboo farmer doesn't say, "Don't forget to water the bamboo." They simply water the bamboo. Every day, without fanfare. They focus on the action, not the avoidance.

Leaders and Parents Make This Mistake Too

We hear it all the time. Don't drink and drive. Don't smoke. Don't mess this up.

The intention behind these words is good. But the message still plants a picture of the behavior we're hoping to prevent.

A more powerful approach is to emphasize what you want to see. Drive sober. Choose health. Do your best.

The mind moves toward the images we give it. This is true for the people we lead, the children we raise, and the way we talk to ourselves.

What Are You Aiming At?

One of the most powerful habits a leader can build is learning to speak and think in the affirmative.

Instead of asking, "What am I trying to avoid?" ask, "What am I trying to create?"

This is also at the heart of asking "What's going well?" When we direct the mind toward what's working, we give it something to build on. When we focus only on what's going wrong, we get more of it.

Bamboo farmers don't spend their mornings staring at weeds. They spend their mornings watering the bamboo. And over time, the bamboo grows tall enough to crowd the weeds out on its own.

Where in your life could you replace a warning with a destination?

Nature reminds us every day. A bamboo farmer knows it well. There is a time to plant, a time to root, a time to grow, a time to harvest, and a time to rest. Each season has its purpose. Growth is not constant. It is cyclical. And the bamboo farmer accepts this truth without resistance.

Yet too often, leaders and teams try to operate like machines. Constant output. Constant acceleration. No off-season. No recovery.

That is not how real growth happens.

The Season No One Wants to Honor

The Roman poet Ovid wrote, "Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop."

That was more than two thousand years ago. And we still struggle with the lesson.

In my work with leaders and organizations, I see this pattern repeat itself. A team finishes a major project. They push through long hours, navigate obstacles, and deliver results. And what is their reward? Another demanding project, assigned before anyone has caught their breath.

No celebration. No reflection. No rest.

The beauty of the growing cycle is that it gives the soil and the farmer time to regenerate. When we skip that season, we do not gain time. We borrow against the next harvest.

What Happens When We Skip the Off-Season

Pushing for nonstop output may deliver quick wins, but eventually it drains the very things that made those wins possible. Energy. Creativity. Resilience. Clarity.

Without rest, teams and leaders lose perspective. Burnout quietly replaces breakthrough. People start going through the motions instead of bringing their full effort. And the roots that were supposed to be deepening during the slower seasons never get the chance to take hold.

True strength comes from unseen preparation. Bamboo spends years spreading its root system underground before it ever breaks the surface. That invisible season is not wasted time. This is why the bamboo can grow 90 feet in 60 days once it finally emerges.

The same is true for people and teams. The seasons that feel slow or unproductive are often the ones doing the most important work.

Leading with Seasons in Mind

Leaders who thrive in the long term learn to pay attention to what season they are in. And they learn to honor each one rather than fight it.

This starts with observation. Pay attention to where your team is right now. Are they in a season of intense output? A season of learning and preparation? A season that calls for recovery? The answer shapes how you lead in that moment. What works during harvest does not work during planting. A good farmer knows the difference.

Here are a few ways to lead with seasons in mind:

1. Build rest into the rhythm, not the margins. Even athletes have off-seasons. Even farmers let fields lie fallow. Recovery is not a sign of weakness. It is what makes the next season of growth possible. You cannot sustain an imbalance over the long term without damaging your quality of life and your team's work.

2. Invest in what does not show immediate results. During the quieter seasons, put energy into training, reflection, and building stronger foundations. Strengthen relationships within your team. These are the roots that will hold when the next storm comes through. They are also the roots that ensure an abundant next harvest.

3. Stop long enough to celebrate the harvest. Teams repeatedly go the extra mile, but their celebrations are often cursory or nonexistent. Take time to recognize the efforts and accomplishments of the people around you. Celebration is not a luxury. It reminds everyone why the work matters. It creates the energy needed for the next push.

The Bamboo Farmer's Advantage

The great thing about bamboo is that it is sustainable. Once grown, it does not need to be replanted. It will grow again and again, year after year. The same is true for you and your team. When you build something with strong roots, you do not have to start from scratch every time. You build on what you have already created.

But sustainability requires rhythm. Plant. Tend. Harvest. Rest. Repeat.

Machines may run nonstop, but people are designed for seasons. When we align ourselves with that rhythm, we set ourselves up for lasting growth. When we fight it, we break down.

What season are you in right now, and are you honoring it?

That line is worth sitting with.

Most of the frustration we carry as leaders doesn't come from what actually happens. It comes from the gap between what happened and what we expect to happen.

The Bamboo Farmer's Perspective

Managing expectations is a lot like tending bamboo. If you water consistently, check the soil, and pay attention to what's happening on the farm, growth comes steadily. But if you set it and walk away, neglect and frustration creep in.

When expectations go unspoken or unchecked, they quietly drain energy. They can create resentment and frustration. They derail progress. But when leaders are willing to get clear, stay curious, and keep communicating, expectations become a source of alignment instead of tension.

Here are five ways to manage expectations like a bamboo farmer.

Clarify Expectations Early and Often

Ambiguity kills momentum.

Be clear from the start about roles, responsibilities, and outcomes. Don't assume people know what you need from them. Spell it out. Encourage questions. Make sure the expectations are understood, not just stated.

Clarity is one of the best things a leader can offer their team.

Address Implicit Agreements

Teams often run into trouble because of unspoken assumptions. One person assumes someone else will handle it. The other person assumes it's not their responsibility. The result? Frustration and finger pointing.

The fix is simple: clear ownership. When in doubt, communicate. When it feels obvious, communicate anyway. What seems clear to you may not be clear to the person sitting across the table.

Explore and Challenge Assumptions

Stating expectations is only part of the work. The other part is uncovering the assumptions that lie beneath.

Try asking: "What does success looks like here?" Or: "What's your understanding of your role in this?"

These kinds of questions can surface misalignment before it grows into a real problem. They also show your team that you care about shared understanding, not just compliance.

Encourage Paraphrasing

One of the simplest leadership tools I know: ask your team to repeat the expectation back to you. Not word-for-word. In their own language.

This does two things. It confirms clarity. And it cements the expectation in their minds in a way that passive listening never will.

Revisit Expectations Regularly

Expectations aren't something you set once and walk away from. They drift over time. Priorities shift. People forget.

Build in regular check-ins. Weekly meetings, progress updates, or brief team huddles where you clarify, reinforce, and reset as needed. This rhythm keeps everyone aligned and prevents surprises down the road.

Think of it like watering. You don't water the bamboo once and hope for the best. You come back. Again and again.

Clarity is vital to success. Communication is alignment. And revisiting expectations is how you keep the field healthy and thriving.

Where in your leadership could a little more clarity change the outcome?

If this is something your team is working through, it's one of the things we explore together in my leadership seminars. Reach out!

Success isn't built in a day. It's built daily. Keep watering. Keep prioritizing. Keep holding the long-term view. Your bamboo breakthrough will come.

SANE: Scared, Anxious, Nervous, Excited

When it comes to stepping into big moments, giving a talk, leading a team, or pursuing a dream, we often label our feelings as fear or nerves. But scared, anxious, nervous, and excited all feel the same in the body. Your heart races. Your palms sweat. Your stomach tightens.

The difference isn't in the sensations. It's in how you interpret them.

Four States, Same Signals

Scared means eyes closed, frozen in place, unwilling to move. Fear stops progress before it starts. 

Anxious means eyes darting, worried about what might go wrong. Energy is present but stuck. 

Nervous means eyes open, pacing, and overthinking. Movement is there, but scattered. 

Excited means eyes wide, stepping forward, eager to engage. Same energy, directed with purpose.

Preparation Builds Confidence

When you've prepared, when you've watered your bamboo day after day, you don't freeze in fear. You channel that energy into excitement. Preparation transforms nervous tension into confident action.

An athlete doesn't walk into the game without practice. A bamboo farmer doesn't wait until harvest season to start watering. Confidence comes from steady investment over time, before the moment arrives.

The Bamboo Farmer's Reframe

The next time you feel your body reacting, heart pounding, palms sweating, don't ask, "Why am I scared?" Instead, ask, "What if I view this as excitement?"

Same energy. Different meaning. One holds you back, the other moves you forward.

Remember

Fear freezes. Excitement advances. And preparation is the bridge between the two.

When it's your time to step onto the stage or into any defining moment, move with eyes wide open. Not scared. Not stuck. But excited and confident, ready to grow.

Bamboo farmers understand this better than anyone.

When bamboo is planted, nothing visible happens for years. The farmer waters the soil, pulls weeds, and tends the field with no outward sign of progress. No shoots. No proof. Just steady, patient work.

But beneath the surface, something important is happening. Roots are spreading wide and growing deep. Then one season, almost without warning, the bamboo rises fast and tall.

What appears to be sudden success is actually the result of years of unseen preparation.

That is the power of the long-term view.

Why the Long-Term View Matters

Dr. Edward Banfield of Harvard spent years studying why some people and communities consistently thrive while others struggle. His conclusion was simple and striking. The most successful people are those who consistently consider the future when making decisions in the present.

That is precisely how a bamboo farmer thinks. Today’s watering is not about today. It is about what this field will become in the years to come.

When leaders and teams lose sight of the long-term, a few predictable patterns emerge. They get trapped in busyness, spending their energy putting out today’s fires. They choose instant gratification over lasting progress. They confuse activity with effectiveness.

Peter Drucker captured this distinction perfectly when he said, “Efficiency is doing things right, but effectiveness is doing the right things.”

Long-term thinking keeps us focused on the right things.

Lessons from the Bamboo Farmer

The bamboo farmer’s mindset offers practical lessons for leadership and life.

Clarify your big goals.
A farmer never forgets what crop is in the ground. Without a clear vision, it is easy to mistake motion for growth. Long-term thinking begins with understanding what you genuinely want to cultivate.

Practice discipline over time.
Bamboo does not reward impatience. Neither does meaningful work. Long-term success requires delaying gratification and consistently showing up, even when results are not immediate.

Prioritize ruthlessly.
Not everything deserves equal attention. Ask yourself, if I could only accomplish one thing before being called away for a month, what would it be? That is likely your bamboo task.

Measure what lasts.
Short-term wins can feel good, but they are not the ultimate measure. The better question is what will still be standing years from now because of the choices you are making today.

A Final Thought

Bamboo farmers are not rushed. They are not discouraged by the lack of visible progress. They trust the process because they understand the timeline.

Leadership, growth, and life work the same way.

Water the right things long enough, and growth will come.

We can replay the past, analyze the present, and imagine the future. This ability built civilizations, spurred invention, and solved lots of challenges. It also fuels a constant attention struggle.

Our brains weren’t designed for happiness, but for survival, constantly scanning for threats—recalling past mistakes, sensing trouble, or warning of impending failure.

Psychologists refer to this as our negativity bias or negative default mode. It is not a flaw. It is a survival feature.

Here is the catch.

Negative experiences last. Our brains store memories of danger because they help keep us safe. Positive experiences fade quickly as they pose no survival threat.

That is why a single criticism can echo in your mind for years, while ten compliments disappear by the end of the day.

The Real Cost of Negativity Bias

The true cost of this bias is not just stress or worry, but that it quietly drains your most valuable resource—your attention.

Many argue that the new currency is cryptocurrency, but given the battle for our attention, the real currency is your focus. Where attention goes, life follows.

When your attention is invested in fear, regret, or imagined failure, you pour your energy into a state of survival. You may stay alert, but you never feel fully alive.

When you focus on gratitude and possibility, you step out of your negative default. You’re not ignoring reality, just choosing how to engage with it.

Retraining Your Focus

Shifting focus to what’s going well requires practice. That’s the heart of my book, What’s Going Well? The goal isn’t to deny difficulty, but to build strength to face it.

This practice helps leaders and teams notice what is working so they can deal with what’s not working.

Here are three simple ways to begin.

Start by asking, “What’s going well?”

This single question interrupts your brain’s threat scan and invites a broader view of reality. It slows the rush to judgment and opens the door to awareness.

Extend the shelf life of positive moments.

Don’t rush past progress. Savor the wins by writing down what went well, saying them out loud, and letting the good things in your life linger a bit longer so your brain can store them in your long-term memory. 

Guard your attention like it matters.

Every distraction and fear-driven headline or scroll withdraws its energy from you. Spend attention on people, ideas, and practices that strengthen you.

A Final Thought

Your brain will always be on the lookout for danger. That is its job. But you get to decide what you feed it.

Wealth isn’t in your bank account, but your attention account. Guard it. Invest it. Grow it. Because your life will always follow your attention.

They plant their bamboo and water it daily.

No excuses. No shortcuts. No outsourcing the work.

Leadership works the same way. Like the farmer, growth in leadership starts not when circumstances improve but when responsibility is claimed.

People often blame external factors, but bamboo grows not because conditions are ideal, but because it is watered consistently.

Responsibility Is Not a Burden. It Is Power.

Responsibility is the ability to respond. It’s about taking ownership.

Each day, you respond to life with action or avoidance, intention or excuse, watering or neglect.

The bamboo farmer waters despite not seeing growth. Leaders do the same, setting tone, modeling behavior, and building culture daily.

Decision Means Cutting Off

The word "decision" comes from the Latin "decidere," which means to cut off.

Every real decision requires the removal of alternatives.

Choosing to water bamboo means choosing growth over blame and neglect. When you decide to lead, you cut off excuses.

Growth does not come from dabbling. It comes from a commitment to watering.

What Responsibility Looks Like in Real Life

Responsibility is not abstract. It shows up in daily thoughts, habits, and choices. Bamboo farmers recognize this quickly.

Here are seven ways responsibility reveals itself.

1. Stop blaming others
Pointing fingers gives away power. The moment blame enters the room, progress leaves it. Focus on what you can influence today.

2. Do not blame yourself either
You did the best you could with what you knew at the time. Responsibility includes forgiveness. Learn, adjust, and keep watering.

3. Recognize the warning signs
Chronic complaining, resentment, anger, and criticism are signals that responsibility has been abandoned. Catch them early and redirect.

4. Quiet the inner chatterbox
The voice saying “I am not enough” keeps growth stalled. Replace it with a steadier voice that says, “Keep watering.”

5. Spot the hidden payoffs
Playing the victim brings sympathy. Procrastination avoids risk. Those short-term payoffs quietly steal long-term growth. Name them. Then choose differently.

6. Act on your goals
Do not wait for someone else to plant seeds for you. Set clear goals. Take daily action. Growth becomes inevitable when effort is consistent and sustained.

7. Choose your path, moment by moment
At any moment, you can choose scarcity or abundance, bitterness or peace, avoidance or responsibility. Each choice is a watering can.

Three Leadership Truths to Remember

Responsibility is the root of growth. It is your ability to respond, not your ability to explain, that matters.
Decision means cutting off. Leadership requires choices with consequences.

Your past can explain you, but it cannot define you. The future grows with today’s responses.

Here is the truth every bamboo farmer understands:

No one is coming to water your bamboo for you.

Leadership means daily, committed responsibility. Growth stems from your decision to show up consistently, even before results are visible.

Keep watering, because growth responds to persistence, not circumstance. That is the bamboo farmer’s secret.

“Greg, what about toxic positivity?”

It’s a fair question. And here’s the reality I’ve seen after working with thousands of people and organizations: very few people are actually harmed by being “too positive.” What wears individuals and teams down far more often is something else entirely. Toxic negativity. The constant drip of fear, cynicism, and worst-case thinking that drains energy from every room it enters.

Before labeling every hopeful mindset as toxic, we need a clearer understanding of what we’re discussing.

The Three Mindsets at Play

Toxic positivity occurs when we use cheerfulness as a shield rather than a tool. It is pretending to be fine when you are not. It is pushing away pain instead of acknowledging it.

Toxic negativity emerges when we only focus on the negatives of the situation and ignore the positives; it’s where we expect failure before we've even made an effort, assume bad intent, or let fear do our talking and walking. This mindset keeps individuals and teams stuck, cautious, and exhausted.

Healthy positivity is something very different. It is the willingness to ask What’s Going Well with the situation before you take on the challenges. It is choosing first to look at the good in the situation before you take on the difficulties of the situation. This approach gives you a sense of hope. It is responding to difficulty with optimism, not denying it.

Healthy positivity sees reality and still chooses possibility.

The Question That Changes the Room

I often ask audiences a simple question:

“Has being optimistic about your health, your family, or your work ever harmed you?”

I have never heard anyone answer yes.

Optimism does not make you blind. Optimism gives you fuel. It moves you forward when circumstances try to pull you back. It strengthens your capacity to engage with reality, rather than shrinking from it.

What What’s Going Well? Actually Does

The exercise is not about pretending everything is perfect. It is about training your mind to notice the full picture.

It acknowledges the struggle. Life brings storms. Teams face setbacks. Families go through seasons that test them. Ignoring this does not build resilience.

It notices the positives. Even in the middle of a challenge, there are small wins, moments of connection, and signs of progress. Healthy positivity helps you see them.

It builds resilience. By noticing what works, you strengthen your ability to face what doesn't. Hope becomes a habit. Confidence becomes a skill.

“What’s Going Well?" is not an escape. It is a strategy.

The Bottom Line

Toxic positivity is a real phenomenon, but it is distinct from adopting a hopeful mindset. Asking What’s going well? does not make you naïve. It makes you resilient. It makes you awake. It keeps you from being overwhelmed by the weight of the negative.

Every season brings challenges. Every season brings gifts. The work is to acknowledge the hard things and water the good things.

If your team is ready for a keynote that inspires resilience, clarity, and strength in the face of any challenge, let’s connect.

Book me here →

But storms pass. The best leaders prepare their fields, tend to their teams, and keep planting in adverse weather conditions.

Here are 10 principles for leading with strategy in a crisis:

1. Take Care of Health, Yours and Theirs
   A farmer tends to the soil before planting. Leaders tend to personal, family, and financial health before expecting growth anywhere else.

2. Pre-Mortem Analysis, Anticipate Weeds
   Farmers walk fields to see what could choke a crop. Leaders do the same by looking ahead and identifying potential problems before they occur.

3. Stay Coachable and Adaptable
   Weather changes fast. Crisis conditions do too. Leaders must be willing to adjust the plan when the environment shifts.

4. Inspire Hope and Optimism
   Farmers plant without guarantees. Leaders do the same by cultivating hope and reinforcing that the effort today is worth the harvest tomorrow.

5. Reset Priorities and Communicate Them
   During a drought, water is allocated to the most vital crops. In crisis, leaders focus attention on what matters most and make that clear to everyone.

6. Manage Resources Wisely
   A wise farmer rations seed and water. Leaders ration time, energy, and money by investing where the return is strongest.

7. Set Emotional Boundaries
   Storms can wash out a crop, but farmers still return to the fields. Leaders avoid getting consumed by fear and protect their inner ground.

8. Avoid Binary Thinking
   Crops rarely grow in perfect straight lines. Leadership requires nuance and the courage to see possibilities beyond either-or decisions.

9. Control the Narrative
   Farmers tell the story of the land with every crop. Leaders shape the story their team believes, and the right story fuels resilience.

10. Re-examine Strategy and Re-vision the Future
    After a storm, farmers reassess, replant, and adapt. Crisis is not an ending. It is an opening to grow stronger and wiser.

Crisis does not demand perfection. It calls for steady farming of trust, hope, and strategy. Leaders who plant wisely in hard seasons build resilience that lasts.

These principles are part of the leadership playbook I teach teams navigating disruption. If your organization is facing rough weather, let’s connect. I would love to help your leaders prepare the fields for growth.

It can buy comfort, but not contentment.

It can buy entertainment, but not joy.

It can buy recognition, but not respect.

The truth is that the things that give life its most profound meaning, like peace, purpose, love, connection, health, and time, can’t be bought; they can only be cultivated. Like bamboo, they require patience, care, and consistent watering.

We live in a culture that worships accumulation. More followers. More square footage. More zeroes in the account. Yet, if you’ve ever sat beside someone you love in a hospital room, or walked with a friend through loss, you already know that no amount of money can replace time, presence, compassion, or faith.

The bamboo farmer doesn’t chase gold. They tend the soil. They know the most critical work happens underground, long before the first shoot breaks the surface. The roots are relationships, character, and habits, and they take time to grow. But when they do, the growth is unstoppable.

So instead of asking, “How much is enough?” try asking, “What am I watering?”

Are you investing in your relationships? In your health? In your faith? In your gratitude?

Because these are the riches no recession can touch.

I’ve met plenty of people with impressive titles and empty hearts. And I’ve met schoolteachers, farmers, and caregivers whose joy could fill a stadium. The difference isn’t their income; it’s their investment. One waters their bank account. The other waters their life.

Money can buy you options, but it can’t buy you meaning. And meaning, once cultivated, grows stronger with time and compounds.

If you water what truly matters, you’ll discover a wealth that lasts a lifetime and beyond.

If your team or organization is chasing results but missing meaning, let’s talk. My Water the Bamboo keynote helps leaders and teams rediscover how to invest in what endures.

Here are eight ways leaders can turn winter into a season of growth:

1. Bundle up, Tighten Up, and Show up. Tough times require more resilience, not less. Farmers don’t stop tending fields because it’s cold. They protect what matters and keep showing up. In leadership, resilience is your insulation.

2. Sharpen Tools and Skills. Winter is when farmers repair plows and sharpen blades. Leaders sharpen skills. What you train in the cold becomes second nature when spring arrives.

3. Rest and Connect. Just as soil rests in winter, leaders need renewal. Relationships are the roots that hold firm beneath the frost.

4. Prepare and Maintain. In winter, barns are repaired, fences fixed, and equipment serviced. Leaders should do the same with systems and structures. Fix the hidden cracks before planting season.

5. Catch Up on Learning. Farmers study seed catalogs and plan next season’s crops in winter. Leaders should study ideas and strategies that prepare them for tomorrow’s growth.

6. Prep the Soil; Your Mind. Winter isn’t a wasted season. It’s when fields regenerate. Leaders, too, must pause to reflect, reset, and enrich the soil of the mind.

7. Deep Clean and Declutter. Clearing brush from fields is like decluttering your workspace and life. Clean fields and clear minds grow stronger crops.

8. Limit Media, Be a Data Stalker. A wise farmer watches the weather but doesn’t obsess over every forecast. Leaders must discipline their inputs, tracking what’s useful and ignoring the noise.

Winter is not the end of growth. It’s the hidden beginning. In my keynote Water the Bamboo: Unleashing Growth in Any Season, I help leaders see that winter isn’t wasted time; it’s preparation time. If your organization is in a “winter season,” I’d love to share this message with your team.

The same is true for leaders and teams.

When energy is spent on grudges, resentments, or old conflicts, less is left to nurture what truly matters: your goals, your people, and your growth.

That’s why I teach pre-forgiveness. Choosing to forgive yourself and others before the wrong even occurs. It’s not weakness; it’s leadership discipline. Here’s why it matters:

Forgiveness usually comes anyway.

People eventually have to move past conflicts on strong teams to keep momentum. Why not free the team sooner, before bitterness drains trust?

Pre-forgiveness saves time.

Resentment slows decision-making and collaboration. When leaders and teams forgive quickly, teams stay agile and focused on solutions instead of rehashing problems.

Pre-forgiveness saves energy.

Grudges burn energy that could be fueling innovation, creativity, and execution. Water the vision, not the conflict.

Pre-forgiveness is discipline, not weakness.

Great leaders model strength by letting go of offenses before they fester. This discipline sets the tone for the whole culture.

Pre-forgiveness keeps the team aligned with growth.

Like bamboo doesn’t resent storms, high-performing teams don’t dwell on setbacks. They regroup, realign, and keep growing together.

It comes down to this: Forgiveness saves time and energy to water your and your team’s bamboo.

PS: If your leadership team or organization could use fresh inspiration around resilience, collaboration, and growth, I’d love to speak with you. My Water the Bamboo keynote helps leaders and teams unleash their potential by focusing on what truly matters—watering the habits, relationships, and vision that create lasting success.

Book me here

The truth is, a crisis doesn’t just test plans. It tests presence.

Strong leadership isn’t about eliminating the storm; it’s about anchoring yourself and your team so you can withstand it. Here are ten anchors every leader can hold onto when the pressure is on:

1. Lead with Empathy and Compassion

People first, always. In a crisis, humans aren’t just a resource — they are the resource. Your ability to see, hear, and value people matters more than any procedure or policy.

2. Stay Adaptable and Calm

Crisis changes by the hour. Rigid certainty crumbles under stress. Agility, composure, and calm leadership inspire confidence when everything else feels uncertain.

3. Emphasize People Over Profits

Treat people right, and profits will follow. Panic-driven cost-cutting destroys trust. Putting humans first creates the loyalty that sustains organizations long after the crisis has passed.

4. Rise to the Occasion

Crisis can become a leader’s defining moment. Heroes aren’t made when things are easy. They’re forged in fire — by showing up when others shrink back.

5. Communicate Clearly, Consistently, and Transparently

Share what you know, even if you don’t have all the answers. Consistent communication builds trust. Silence breeds fear.

6. Provide Mental Support and Check-Ins

Everyone experiences a crisis differently. Leadership means noticing, asking, and listening. Sometimes the greatest gift you can give is presence and empathy.

7. Remember: Crisis Is Temporary

Perspective is power. Even the harshest winters eventually give way to spring. Remind your team that what they’re experiencing won’t last forever.

8. Create a Positive Narrative

Stories shape culture. The words you choose become the story your team believes about the future. Use language that inspires resilience, not despair.

9. Take Care of Yourself

Leaders can’t pour from an empty cup. Self-care isn’t selfish — it’s responsible leadership. A tired, depleted leader can’t guide others through the storm.

10. Anchor in Core Values

When pressure mounts, shortcuts tempt. But values are what keep you steady. They’re the compass that will outlast the crisis.

The Takeaway

Leading in crisis isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about being an answer. Your empathy, presence, and clarity will outlast the storm.

This framework is deeply connected to the mindset I share in my book, What’s Going Well?. Even in moments of chaos, the simple discipline of asking what’s still working? can shift perspective, create hope, and build resilience.

If your team needs inspiration to reframe challenges into opportunities, What’s Going Well? is a powerful place to start.

Numbers. Trophies. Milestones.

But here’s the truth: growth doesn’t happen in the spotlight moment. It happens in the shadows. The real prize isn’t in crossing the line. The real prize is becoming the kind of person who shows up, day after day, watering your bamboo even when nothing seems to grow.

Bamboo farmers know this better than anyone. For years after planting, nothing appears above the surface. But underground, an incredible network of roots is forming, preparing for explosive growth. The breakthrough happens because of years of unseen care and attention.

If you want to achieve your own “bamboo growth,” here are five ways to focus on the process instead of just the results:

1. Plant Deep Roots

Your daily habits and routines are your root system. Your consistency creates a foundation for future growth, even if you can’t see results yet.

2. Water Daily

Bamboo doesn’t grow without regular watering, and neither do your goals. Show up for your process every day, rain or shine—the small, steady effort compounds.

3. Trust the Seasons

Not all growth is visible right away. There will be seasons of planting, seasons of tending, and seasons of rapid growth. Trust the timing.

4. Focus on Your Grove, Not Just One Shoot

Just as bamboo grows in clusters, remember that your progress isn’t about a single win, it’s about the overall health of your life and work. Don’t neglect the other areas that feed your success.

5. Celebrate Small Wins

When new growth appears—no matter how small—acknowledge it, because early signs of progress are proof that the process is working.

When you fall in love with the process, the results will come; often, they’ll be bigger than you imagined.

This message is at the heart of my book, Water the Bamboo: Unleashing the Potential of Teams and Individuals, and it’s a lesson I love sharing in my keynotes and workshops with leaders, teams, and organizations.

If you’re ready to grow your own bamboo forest—one day at a time—let’s start:

•  Get the Book

•  Book Me for a Keynote or Workshop

Here are 10 focus shifts that create resilience in difficult times:

1. Focus on Others — Selflessness is an anchor. In a crisis, your team is watching how you show up. Shift from “me” to “we.”

2. Focus on Relationships — Connection is the greatest stabilizer. Nurture trust; it will carry you further than tactics.

3. Focus on Giving & Supporting — In hard times, generosity isn’t just noble, it’s strategic. Leaders who give earn loyalty.

4. Focus on Gains, Not Losses — What you measure matters. Shift your scorecard from what’s slipping away to what you’ve built and retained.

5. Focus on Momentum — Progress, not perfection. Even small wins create movement and energy when things feel stuck.

6. Focus on the Moment — Pause. Breathe. Presence prevents panic. The future is built one steady moment at a time.

7. Focus on Who You Can Be — Crisis reveals character. Ask yourself daily: Who am I becoming in this challenge?

8. Focus on Response, Not Event — You can’t control the crisis, but you can control your choices. Response is where leadership lives.

9. Focus on What’s Available, Not Missing — Scarcity shrinks imagination. Availability expands it. Work with what you have.

10. Focus on What’s Going Well — Gratitude isn’t denial. It’s fuel. When leaders name what’s working, teams find the courage to keep going.

Takeaway: In a crisis, the leader’s greatest tool is focus. Attention is energy. What you focus on expands in yourself, your team, and your culture.

This “Crisis Manual” is one of the frameworks I share with leadership teams navigating change and uncertainty. If your organization is ready to shift from panic to progress, let's connect.

The human brain is an ancient survival machine built to scan for threats. While that default negativity mode might have kept our ancestors alive, it often just keeps us stressed, anxious, and reactive in today's world.

That's why I believe in a deceptively simple practice: asking yourself, "What's Going Well?"

Why Asking Works

When you ask What's Going Well?, you activate your Reticular Activating System (RAS), the part of your brain that filters information. It's the same reason you notice cars like yours when you drive; your brain tunes in to what you're focused on.

When you "sit in" the question What's Going Well?, your brain starts noticing more of it. And since we're all already "under the influence" of something, why not choose to be under the influence of What's Going Well?

A What's Going Well mindset is more than a feel-good trick, it's a philosophy. Over the years, I've made What's Going Well? my dominant thought. When I focus there, I feel better, make better decisions, and show up better for others.

Building the Habit

Here's the catch: focusing on What's Going Well isn't our default setting. It takes intentional and daily practice. Research from the University of London suggests it takes 66 days to build a habit. If you're a full-blown Negaholic, double it. Try asking "What's Going Well?" every day for 132 days straight and see what shifts.

When I started doing this consistently, I became what I jokingly call a "What's Going Well expert." I even have "What's Going Well tantrums"—ridiculously over-the-top celebrations of the good stuff in my life. And I've noticed something remarkable: no matter what's happening, when I look for What's Going Well, I find it.

The Ripple Effect

When you make What's Going Well? your guiding question, it changes how you interact with others. I no longer get pulled into other people's negativity spirals. If a problem is outside my control, I let it go. If it's within my control, I address it and move on. Either way, I return my attention to What's Going Well.

I've applied this mindset to the five areas of wellbeing identified by Gallup—Career, Health, Finances, Family/Friends, and  Community — and I added Hobbies for #6. I've seen measurable improvements in each one. Focusing on What's Going Well makes me more present, peaceful, and productive. When I feel good, I tend to do good. And that's not just true for me, it's true for the teams, leaders, and organizations I've had the privilege of working with.

Bringing "What's Going Well?" to Your Organization

If this resonates with you, I will dive much deeper into the mindset, science, and application of this question in my book, What's Going Well? It's filled with stories, practical exercises, and insights to help you rewire your brain toward optimism and resilience.

I also deliver highly interactive keynotes and workshops on this topic for leadership teams, organizations, and conferences. We explore how this simple but powerful question can shift culture, improve performance, and boost overall wellbeing.

If you'd like to bring this message to your team or start your own What's Going Well? Journey, you can:

• Pick up the book

• Reach out about a keynote or workshop

The truth is, there's always something going well; you just have to choose to see it.

1. Embrace the Courage Factor

Sometimes it just takes “20 seconds of insane courage” to break through the wall of changing your habits. Your mind has a knack for finding reasons to quit, but fearless action can help you break through.  

2. Water the Bamboo—Even When You Don’t See Growth

Like bamboo, real growth often happens beneath the surface. Even if you feel stuck, keep “watering” your efforts. Persistent effort is key even though you don’t see immediate results—this can ultimately unleash incredible.

3. Create a Positive Wake

Every interaction, every choice, leaves a wake behind you. Shift from the frustration of missed goals to the determination of new beginnings. You’ll also inspire others around you to reset—teamwork and mutual support can turn small ripples into powerful waves that last!

4. Switch Up the Script

If your original plan fizzled, change the approach. Add a playful element to your routines: turn workouts into a game or find an accountability partner who makes you laugh and keeps you on track. You’re more likely to see it through when you find joy in the process.

Don’t let January 10th define your year. Use January 25th as a second launch date—reflect, recalibrate, and reignite those goals with a new wave of determination. Let your newfound courage set the tone for the rest of your year. Keep watering your dreams because when bamboo finally shoots, it grows like crazy.

Make this Chinese New Year your fresh start—it’s never too late to grow!

We often neglect these essential tasks until something breaks down. However, proactive maintenance can prevent these breakdowns. While maintenance may seem mundane, it's the unseen effort that ensures everything functions optimally. If we value something, we should prioritize its upkeep. If you care about it, keeping it in top shape is worth the effort.

Your Leadership Skills Need Maintenance

As a Bamboo Farmer, your leadership skills are like the water and sunlight that nurture your bamboo grove. They require constant attention and refinement. Ask yourself: Have I reached my full potential as a leader? If the answer is no, it's time to mind that gap between where you are and where you could be.

Actionable Steps:

• Reflect on Your Strengths and Opportunities for growth: Identify areas where you excel and areas that need improvement.

• Seek Continuous Learning: Read books, attend seminars, or find a mentor who inspires you.

• Set Specific Goals: Define what becoming a better leader means to you and create a plan to get there.

Relationships Require Ongoing Care

Relationships are the bamboo shoots in your garden; they need nurturing to grow strong. Too often, we take our relationships for granted, especially with those closest to us. Neglect can erode trust, and rebuilding it takes much more effort.

Actionable Steps:

• Reach Out Regularly: Schedule time to connect with family, friends, colleagues, and clients.

• Express Gratitude: Let people know you appreciate them.

• Offer Support: Be there when others need you, and don't hesitate to ask for help yourself.

Establish Routine Maintenance

Just as you wouldn't skip regular oil changes for your car, you shouldn't overlook routine tasks that keep your life and work running smoothly. Whether organizing your workspace or updating your skills, routine maintenance prevents minor issues from becoming big problems.

Actionable Steps:

• Create a Schedule: Set aside regular times for personal and professional maintenance tasks.

• Declutter Your Environment: A clear space fosters a clear mind.

• Review and Adjust: Regularly assess your routines to ensure they're still effective.

Prioritize Your Well-Being

You are the most critical asset in your life. Your physical health, mental clarity, and emotional well-being need regular upkeep. Without you at your best, everything else suffers.

Actionable Steps:

• Get Regular Checkups: See a professional before something feels wrong.

• Exercise and Rest: Incorporate physical activity and adequate sleep into your routine.

• Mind Your Intake: Be mindful of what you consume, both nutritionally and mentally.

Don't Delay Maintenance

The cost of neglect is always higher than the cost of upkeep. Minor issues ignored today can become significant problems tomorrow. Maintenance may seem inconvenient now, but it's far less disruptive than dealing with a breakdown.

Actionable Steps:

• Address Issues Promptly: Don't put off repairs, whether they're in your car, your relationships, or your work processes.

• Invest Time Now: Understand that time spent on maintenance is an investment in your future.

• Stay Proactive: Anticipate potential problems and act before they arise.

Embrace the Unseen Efforts

Maintenance doesn't often come with accolades. No one throws a parade because you kept things running smoothly. But these unseen efforts are the foundation of long-term success. Consistency in small actions leads to significant results over time.

Actionable Steps:

• Acknowledge Your Efforts: Even if others don't notice, recognize and celebrate your commitment.

• Stay Consistent: Make maintenance a non-negotiable part of your routine.

• Focus on the Big Picture: Remember that these small tasks contribute to your larger goals.

So, what in your life needs maintenance? Please take a moment to reflect and write it down. Is it your leadership skills, relationships, routines, or personal well-being? Whatever it is, make it a priority. Schedule it, act on it, and keep at it.

As a fellow Bamboo Farmer, I encourage you to continue watering, nurturing, and maintaining every aspect of your life. Remember, everything you love and everything you need requires care. Keep tending to your bamboo, and you'll watch it grow tall and strong.

This blog post is based on a podcast. Listen or watch the full episode below:

I've often reflected on that image and realized how much we all need blinders—not to limit our vision but to sharpen our focus. In a world overflowing with information, notifications, and endless demands on our attention, staying focused on what truly matters has become a real challenge.

Here are six strategies I've found invaluable for putting on those metaphorical blinders and honing in on our goals:

1. Audit Your Focus

First, take a step back and assess your current level of focus. Are you easily distracted? What pulls you away from your priorities? Identify the people, tasks, or habits that derail you. Awareness is the first step toward change.

2. Build a Routine

Consistency is key. Establish a daily routine that aligns with your goals. Organize your day so that you tackle high-priority tasks when you're most alert. I aim to accomplish significant personal and professional task before 11 a.m. Doing the hard things first sets a productive tone for the rest of your day. As Brian Tracy says, Eat that Frog!

3. Set Up Your Environment for Success

Your surroundings significantly impact your ability to focus. Remove distractions from your workspace—turn off notifications, put away your phone, and gather all the materials you'll need before you begin. I often put on headphones and listen to Mozart to get into the zone. Find what works for you and make your environment conducive to deep work.

4. Time Block Your High-Value Activities

Allocate specific time blocks for your most important tasks. Dedicate that period exclusively to one activity, Whether 30, 60, or 90 minutes. Time-blocking not only enhances focus but also improves productivity. Remember, if you don't schedule time for your priorities, someone else will fill your schedule with theirs.

5. Avoid Multitasking

Despite what we've been led to believe, multitasking is not a virtue. It dilutes your attention and lowers the quality of your work. Focus on one high-value task at a time. If you ever feel overwhelmed, ask yourself, "What's important now?" This question can help recalibrate your focus.

6. Schedule Time for Renewal

Lastly, remember to block out time for rest and rejuvenation. Just like machines need maintenance, so do we. Whether it's a walk in nature, exercise, or spending quality time with loved ones, give yourself the gift of renewal. You'll return to your work with increased energy and clarity.

In a world constantly vying for our attention, putting on your blinders isn't about ignorance—it's about intention. It's about choosing where to direct your energy so you can plow straight rows toward your dreams.

Growth, much like watering bamboo, only happens after some time. It requires patience, persistence, and, above all, focus. So, let's put on our blinders and get to work on what truly matters.

This post is based on a podcast by Greg Bell. Listen to the full podcast below or watch: