Tending the Vines
Setting: Ticino, Switzerland at the vineyard (merlot country) – late morning.
Back story: Anja Fiedler had explained how to tend the grape vines, and we had assigned ourselves this one section of about 500 plants.
In the most idyllic scene imaginable, under the warm sun, I was carefully threading the tops of the vines between the wires (so they would grow straight and tall) and then making sure that the base of the plant was clear of weeds that could compete for nutrients. Somewhere about vine #50, I shifted – instead of focusing on "doing it right," the vines became personal, individual plants, to which I felt connected. In very low tones, so no one else could hear, I started talking to each one – separately. Truly each one had a different personality. OK, this sounds weird, I know. BUT each one WAS different and elicited a different response from me.
Later that evening, lazily watching the sun sink below the mountains, without thinking, I mentioned
how each vine was different. To my utter surprise, both Anja and Jeurgen agreed. Jeurgen even added that he knew each of the ~4000 plants personally. So I'm not crazy, or at least I'm hanging out with similarly crazy folks!
Thinking about that experience this morning, a week later, I realized those first 50 plants taught me something. "Doing it right" delays personal connection.
In my experience, connecting first has made it easier to get the hang of something. Apparently some lessons need re-acquiring.
Love it, Ann! Such a parenting skill, too.
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This is an awesome example around connecting conversations for my team! Thank you for the inspiration!
Good blog post. I certainly love this website. Keep writing!
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