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In this episode of the Action Lab Leadership Podcast, Danny sits down with Megan Burtch from Redemption Plus to discuss the intentional, often invisible work of leadership. Megan shares how her hobby as a “plant lady” has shaped her perspective on nurturing high-performing teams and why the most rewarding part of leadership is watching others achieve their own milestones.
The “Plant Lady” Approach to People
One of the most unique insights from this conversation is the parallel between gardening and leadership. Megan explains that while some tasks (like mowing a lawn) offer instant gratification, growing people (much like growing plants) is a long game.
- Individualized Nurturing: Every plant requires its own schedule for light and fertilizer. Similarly, every team member requires a coaching style tailored to their specific strengths.
- The Invisible Phase: A seed may not sprout for weeks, but that doesn’t mean growth isn’t happening. Leaders must have the patience to trust the progress beneath the surface before the results are visible.
- Celebrating the Sprout: Megan describes a “proud mama bear” feeling when a team member finally navigates a challenge or achieves a milestone.
Breaking the Overachiever Cycle
As a self-described lifelong overachiever, Megan opens up about the struggle of transitioning from a doer to a leader.
- Delegate to Elevate: Megan is focusing on “delegating to elevate,” recognizing that when she bites off more than she can chew, she actually robs her team of growth opportunities.
- The Output Identity: For high achievers, worth is often tied to personal output. Transitioning to leadership means finding value in the team’s output rather than your own.
- Venting at the Top: To maintain a healthy culture, Megan follows the rule of “never complaining down”. She emphasizes that you must have a vent at the top to avoid a blowout at the bottom.
Reading the Room
Leadership requires high emotional intelligence and the ability to meet people where they are.
- Energy Management: If a team member is stressed or overwhelmed, Megan suggests turning down your own energy to meet them rather than trying to force optimism.
- Admitting When You’re Wrong: The fastest way to build trust and encourage a culture of growth is to simply admit when you don’t have all the answers.
