It’s spring in the vineyard and the tiny leaves that popped out at bud break are exuberantly multiplying and growing, reaching to the sky. Photosynthesis is the hard, transformational work going on inside the leaves as they expand.
Understanding the metaphor of photosynthesis, will give us a glimpse into the equation of our own transformation as leaders.
Even though it’s much more complex than this, here’s a simplified version of how photosynthesis works. Water molecules are drawn up from the ground through the root system to feed all the cells in the plant, including the cells in the leaves Carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, enters the leaf through the stomata, or tiny holes, in the leaf. The CO2 molecules diffuse into the structured, water-filled plant cells where they make their way to the chloroplasts, which live inside the cell. Chloroplasts are basically miniature energy factories where the main work of photosynthesis happens. Energy from the light of the sun bounces around inside the squishy, green chloroplast reconfiguring the ions inside of water (H20) and carbon dioxide (CO2) to produce sugar (C6H12O6) and oxygen (O2). If you’re curious, here’s the chemical equation:
6 CO2 + 6 H2O —> C6H12O6 + 6 O2
The sugar product is then loaded into phloem tissue, which looks like tiny veins, and circulates throughout the vine to feed the vine. Turns out, sugar is the lifeblood of the vine! No wonder grapes are sweet! The oxygen molecule that is a byproduct of the chemical reaction inside the chloroplast is released back into the atmosphere through the stomata, passing CO2 molecules which are on their way into the leaf, like a tiny revolving door.
Stop for a minute and be amazed. This process is not just a simple transaction, it is a mysterious and complex model of transformation! Chloroplasts take noxious carbon dioxide, and, using water molecules, in the presence of light, transform what is potentially harmful into sweet sustenance for the vine and also life-giving oxygen for the world. The hard-working, super-efficient machinery inside the chloroplasts are perfectly situated to do the work of transformation, but the work would fail if not for the water the plant pulls up from the roots and the energy received from the sun. Lacking either one of those components will starve the plant and it would die. Let’s break this down for what it means to us as leaders.
First, let’s talk about the water. Every vine is planted in a particular kind of soil and, honestly, it’s often rocky, hard soil. As a young vine, the grower will make sure it has plenty of water, but as it grows, the water is gradually diminished to make the roots go a little deeper and fight a little harder to find water. The roots get stronger the harder they struggle to find water. The vine itself is made up of 80-90% water, so strong roots are of utmost importance to the vine.
Like water in the vine, the single most important aspect of a leader is his or her character. So much can be said about character, but for now let’s just notice that character is developed in a particular context, in a particular “terroir”, and the struggles in life serve to shape character.
Now we turn our attention to the sun. Yes. That is exactly what the vine does as each leaf grows and positions itself to soak up as much sunlight as possible. As leaders we must also position ourselves, orienting our attention to sources of light and life. Where does our energy come from? Who do we have in our community? Are we intentional and thoughtful about what we ingest intellectually, spiritually, and emotionally? As we reach towards what is good and true, we absorb the energy needed to metabolize the harmful things that inevitably come our way.
The adversity (CO2) that could destroy us, meets with our character (H2O) in the presence of beauty, light and truth, and is transformed into sustenance (C6H12O6) and generosity (O2).
The sustenance, or sweet nourishment that flows from a good leader to his or her team is a product of transformation. Not only are transformed leaders able to sustain their teams, but they lead the way in generosity, empowering the organization to do likewise. Like the O2 molecules that flow out of the plant, a leader with a generous spirit is like oxygen to the world… a breath of fresh air.
We’ve talked about character and about transformation, but what about the nitty gritty of leading? What about competence? Indeed… Each tiny chloroplast is a highly tuned machine, operating efficiently from dawn to dusk. Talk about competence! If each of us were as competent as a chloroplast… well… let’s just say we would get the work done!
I’ll leave you with two final thoughts. First, competence alone is a non-starter. No matter how competent we are, it’s our character and our hopeful, generative energy that collaborate with competence to produce something of true value for our team and for the world. Second, the chloroplasts rest at night. Scientists don’t really understand what happens to the chloroplasts at night, except to observe that they respire, giving off carbon dioxide instead of oxygen. We’ll tackle that topic another time.
(I am indebted to Michelle Louis for this elegant metaphor on photosynthesis, which she generously shared with me during a recent conversation.)