As I tend to the rich soil of my garden, I’m reminded that leadership, much like gardening, begins with patience, presence, and a deep respect for the natural rhythms of growth. Each seed I plant is a living testament to nurturing potential—an echo of how I’ve learned to lead teams and cultivate ideas throughout my career as a technology executive.

In the early days of my career, I was driven by the rush of achieving fast results. I pushed for quick wins and immediate outcomes—believing that visible progress was the only indicator of success. But as the years unfolded and my garden grew alongside my career, I discovered that actual progress isn’t about speed; it’s about cultivating deep roots and nurturing growth with intention.

Just as a tomato plant thrives when given the perfect balance of water, sun, and nutrients, I realized that my teams needed balance, too. They needed space to grow, the encouragement to reach for the light, and the room to breathe and adapt to ever-changing circumstances. I found that fostering this balance—listening, guiding, and creating a culture of trust—was far more potent than any quick fix or short-term push.

The garden also taught me the essential quality of resilience. When pests arrived unannounced or drought threatened to wither my carefully planted rows, I didn’t abandon the garden. I adapted. I experimented with new methods, shifted my approach, and found ways to restore balance and protect what I had built. These lessons mirrored the moments in my professional journey when digital disruptions rattled our technology landscape or when mergers and acquisitions brought new uncertainties. Rather than fear the change, I leaned in—listening to my teams, adjusting course, and leading with a steady hand.

Most importantly, the garden taught me that leadership is a daily practice of nurturing growth, whether it’s in the boardroom or in the soil beneath my fingertips. Some days call for quiet reflection—listening closely to the unspoken needs of my team and observing the minor signs of progress that others might overlook. Other days call for bold pruning—removing what no longer serves, making space for new growth, and encouraging innovation to flourish.
Each morning in the garden, I’m reminded to slow down, observe the beauty of small changes, and invest in the daily rituals that lead to a plentiful harvest. And each day in my role as a leader, I carry those same lessons with me—trusting that the seeds I plant today, with care and intention, will grow into something intense and enduring tomorrow.