From Pruning to Growth: What Plant Care Can Teach Us About Employee Well-being

Recently, while pruning plants that had suffered from sun and water stress, I noticed that after pruning, beautiful new growth emerged rapidly. This experience inspired me to express the importance of leaders in fostering similar rejuvenation in their teams by addressing stress and promoting a supportive and collaborative work environment.

Recognizing Stress

The leaves of my Hosta plants were not just yellowed; they were browning and droopy. Before this recent experience, I did not enjoy working with plants. But on this day, I spent over three hours tending to our plants and garden, and for the first time, I understood why so many find working with plants relaxing. I completely lost track of time and fully enjoyed the task at hand. As I pruned the dead leaves, I was amazed to see all the tiny new growth hidden from sight. I realized I wouldn’t have seen this beautiful growth if I hadn’t pruned. I wondered, “What do I need to prune in my life so that it is easier to see the beauty in my life?” Then, “As a leader, what needs pruning to improve employee relationships for improved performance, productivity and enjoyment. Enjoyment is often overlooked, but according to the Harrison Assessment’s Enjoyment Performance methodology, “Measuring work satisfaction is essential to determine motivation and forecast whether an individual will prosper, succeed and stay with the organization.” If a team member enjoys at least 75% or more of their job, they are three times more likely to succeed.^[i]

Effects of Stress

When we have too much stress in our lives, we show up with less energy, disengagement, irritability, and a lack of focus. Stress impacts all four domains: emotional, mental, physical and spiritual. For example, if you have a stressful encounter, when you go back to your desk, you are more likely to make an error. If you don’t reduce stress in the moment and become coherent, you may experience physical symptoms such as an upset stomach, headache, or muscle tension. Next, you may be less motivated to help when someone asks for support.

Similar to a plant’s dormancy, leaders may face quality issues, missed deadlines, increased accidents, and poor attendance. The Workplace Well-Being in 2025: Insights from the Workplace and Employee Survey, released by the WebMD Health Services Center for Research, found that employees with a strong perception of organizational care report 56% higher engagement, 37% lower burnout, and greater retention compared to those who feel less supported. Outside of work, they also experience higher overall well-being and life satisfaction.”^[ii]

“Pruning” in the Workplace

Removing what’s not serving growth creates space for renewal. Identify what is destroying innovation, creativity, and excellence. Use assessments, like the Harrison Assessment, to learn more about your personnel to understand them better, build team cohesiveness, and improve employee engagement. Create a sustainable system for talent motivation and inspiration to align with the organization’s values and mission. Your workforce wants to know that you value and appreciate them. Provide resources such as custom training/workshops, external coaching, and assessments. Recognize improvements and achievements in a way that resonates with the individual, whether that be a public announcement or a private moment to express appreciation and gratitude.

Conclusion

Just as removing decaying leaves allows plants to flourish, when nurturing talent and removing obstacles, organizations witness increased engagement, heightened productivity, stronger retention, and enhanced quality standards. Effective leadership cultivates an environment where team members can reach their full potential, just as a sturdy trellis enables vines to climb higher than they could alone. Is your organization poised for its next growth phase? We’d love to help!

[i] Harrison Assessment Enjoyment Performance Methodology, Harrison Assessments
https://www.goldencareerstrategies.com/Harrison/golden-career-strategies_Enjoyment-Performance-Information.pdf

[ii] WebMD Health Services Center for Research. 2025 Workplace and Employee Survey. https://www.webmdhealthservices.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/WebMD-Health-Services-Center-for-Research-2025-Workplace-and-Employee-Survey-Results.pdf

About Stacey W. Bevill

Stacey loves working with leaders, teams, entrepreneurs and individuals who are ready for transformation. SC Biz News included Bevill as an honoree on their 2024 Manufacturing Power List. She serves on the board of the South Carolina Roundtable, part of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), and the Board of Trustees for the University Center of Greenville. She is a Professional Certified Coach (PCC)and a Board-Certified Coach (BCC). She holds many credentials and is passionate about developing rising stars, communication, resiliency, well-being, employee retention and engagement. You can find her bio and CV at https://www.goldencareerstrategies.com/company-information/. Call 864-527-0425 or email stacey@goldencareerstrategies.com for a complimentary consultation.

About Golden Career Strategies (GCS)

GCS helps organizations maximize their employees’ effectiveness and potential by providing innovative organizational and leadership development, assessments, team and individual coaching, custom training and workshops, onboarding, and outplacement services. For individuals, GCS offers a range of tailored services, including many assessments, coaching and consulting, and The Golden Career Course™ for outplacement or individuals. GCS individual clients include executives in transition, recent college graduates, those seeking encore careers, entrepreneurs, and others. Let’s talk! Complimentary consultations can be scheduled online at www.goldencareerstrategies.com