Just this last week, someone in a lunch meeting said, “Let me plant a seed…”

It’s a phrase I’ve probably heard hundreds of times before. My grandfather planted the seeds that led to a love of woodworking and woodcarving. My father sowed seeds that led to speaking in public, a love of animals and, when I was 40 years old, fly fishing.

The seed Drs. John Smalling and Bill Hicks started grew into a doctoral degree many years after being planted.

And there’s much more! Looking back, I can see the offspring of seeds in my life planted by my mother, grandmothers, friends, co-workers and even total strangers. Some have come from books, podcasts or websites, and some from a movie or two. Seeds can start growing from something we read, observe or overhear. Good seeds can come from almost anywhere!

Seeds give life through the ideas they plant. They are a powerful tool to be employed with care by leaders at any level, from which leaders themselves benefit, at any age or level of accomplishment.

Seeds do require soil or some medium to grow in. They require certain environmental conditions. When the right conditions come together, boy, do they produce!

Just this last week, a seed was planted. I think the conditions are right, and with a little cultivation, that one will grow into a beautiful and profitable partnership!

Yes, I know some seeds produce weeds. Perhaps that’s a good story for another day.

As you LEAD, are you planting, cultivating and growing good seeds?