Wish you all a very happy New Year.
Since this is my first post of the year, I want to begin with a story.
There was once a little boy who found a seed while walking through an orchard. He wasn’t sure what kind of seed it was, but he knew one thing with certainty — it must belong to one of the fruit trees around him. That simple belief was enough to spark his imagination.
He carefully placed the seed in his pocket and guarded it all the way home, making sure it stayed safe from water and dust. As he walked, he sang to himself, dreaming about how tall the tree might grow one day, where he would plant it, and how he would take care of it. The sun shone brightly, birds chirped, and the world seemed to echo his excitement.
When he reached home, he ran straight to his backyard, searching for the perfect place. He chose a spot near the fence — free of shrubs, open to sunlight, and ideal for growth. With great care, he dug a small hole, gently placed the seed inside, covered it with soil, watered it, and stood there for a while, staring at the ground with quiet hope.
That evening, he excitedly told his mother about the seed and his dream of watching it grow into a tree. She listened with a warm smile and gently put him to bed.
The next morning, the boy ran back to the backyard.
Nothing.
No sapling. No sign of life.
Concerned, he dug up the soil, checked the seed, placed it back, watered it again, and returned to his room. The same thing happened the next day — and the day after that. Slowly, excitement turned into impatience, and impatience into frustration.
One morning, as his mother was watering the plants, she noticed him crying and digging up the soil once more. She rushed over, hugged him, and asked what was wrong. Through tears, he explained how much he cared for the seed — how he watered it, added manure, and checked on it every day — yet it still refused to grow.
His mother smiled gently and said,
“If you keep digging up the seed to check on it, it will never grow. You must give it time to do its work. Trust the process. Have faith.”
Reluctantly, the boy listened. He replanted the seed, watered it every day, and waited.
And then, one day, something magical happened.
A tiny green sapling emerged from the soil. His face lit up with a joy that needed no words. The seed had finally begun to grow.
🌿What This Taught Me About Leadership
You may wonder why I share this story.
As leaders, we hire talented individuals, build teams, invest in skills, and strive to create strong, healthy cultures. We do all of this with the hope that our efforts will translate into meaningful impact and sustained results. Yet, despite having capable people and the best intentions, not every team succeeds.
The difference is rarely talent alone.
The teams that truly perform — and continue to perform — are led by leaders who trust their teams’ strengths, believe in their people’s abilities, and remain committed to their long-term development. They understand that growth cannot be forced or rushed.
When leaders over-prescribe solutions, dictate every step, or rely heavily on micromanagement to drive outcomes, it often comes from a desire for speed, certainty, and control. But what we sometimes fail to recognize is that these behaviors quietly erode ownership, confidence, and creativity. Much like digging up a seed every day, constant interference interrupts the very process that allows teams to grow, learn, and mature.
True leadership is not about controlling every action. It is about setting a clear direction, creating the right environment, and trusting people to rise to the expectations placed upon them.
Throughout my career, including my time at Amazon, one of my core responsibilities has been delivering strong outcomes through teams. Over time, I’ve learned a simple but powerful truth:
Great results don’t come from pulling the seed out of the soil every day.
They come from creating the right conditions — and trusting growth to happen.