“In groups we can do together what we cannot achieve alone.” – Beth Simone Noveck
In my last article, I discussed becoming the best version of you by living in your strengths. This is when you become a genius. There is no one else who can impact the world with the unique talent sets and potential that you have. As an individual, we can accomplish so much, but you also can only go so far.
Because you don’t have all of the talent sets in the world, you can’t do everything. As humans we are designed to live in community. Others need the unique strengths that you have because that is exactly the area in which they may lack strengths, just as you need the strengths of others where you lack. Combining our strengths together is when we become a true super power.
Nature is a teacher of the beauty and power of living in community. When I lived in California, I became introduced to the Pacific Redwood Trees. These massive trees tower hundreds of feet tall. Visitors from around the world come to view their magnificence. Here are some lessons we can learn from them to become powerful in our strengths in community:
Know Your Own Strengths & Potential
With a massive tree, you would think that they would have a large pine cone that starts their beginnings. But this is not the case. The Pacific Redwood pine cone is very small. It is the size of the end of your thumb. When you look at this cone, it is easy to think that there must not be much potential there. However, the mighty height of an adult tree tells us otherwise.
Do not look at yourself as small. You might feel like you are at a small beginning, but great strengths and potential lie within you. Pursue to grow in who you are in your strengths.
Learn the Strengths of Others
Typically trees will have a main tap root that goes deep into the ground to balance the height of the tree as it grows up. So, you would think that Pacific Redwood Trees would have some very long tap roots. However, this is not the case. Their tap root is very small in comparison to their height. So how do they keep from falling over? Their answer is to live in groves, a community. Redwood Trees send out finger roots that inter-connect and form a web with the other trees in the grove. They remain standing by depending on each other.
If you want to reach a mighty height, you can only go so far on your individual talents. Learn the strengths of those around you. Seek to build relationships with those who are different from you in strengths, but similar to you in values and mission. Together you can go to great heights to reach a vision that can change the world.
Engage Your Strengths in Community
Not only are Pacific Redwood Trees very tall, they also can be very old. Some are estimated to be 2000 years old, and the life of these trees is not always easy. They must withstand mighty storms that can come off the Pacific Ocean. It is by living in groves and remaining connected that they continue to live and thrive for a long time.
In life, we all face storms, but these storms can make us stronger as we engage in community. A true community is where you are authentic and vulnerable. You are open to others holding you accountable to be the best version of you. This takes growth and change. Community is also a place where people build you up and do not tear you down. You celebrate together your progress as individuals and as a team, while also supporting each other when facing a storm.
What are your strengths? What are the strengths of those around you? How are you engaging with others in community to be powerful in reaching your potential and mission?