The Soil of Leadership: Wisdom for Leaders Navigating Challenging Times with Dr. Britt Yamamoto

Facilitating Change: How to create transformative spaces that inspire, empower & drive real change

In this episode of Facilitating Change, Cole talks with Dr. Britt Yamamoto about his book "The Soil of Leadership” and meaningful ways to support social impact leaders right now. A large part of the conversation centers around the core metaphor from the book about “growing soil”. Britt compares conventional farmers who focus on growing plants (short-term, visible results) versus sustainable farmers who prioritize growing soil (long-term, beneath-the-surface conditions). He applies this metaphor to leadership, arguing that effective leadership requires cultivating the deeper conditions that allow teams and organizations to thrive rather than just focusing on immediate, visible outcomes. Throughout the conversation, Britt discusses the compelling resonance of this farming metaphor across cultures, the importance of understanding organizational "seasons", including periods of rest and renewal, and the value of reflection and relationship-building as essential leadership practices. Their conversation ends with some wisdom for leaders navigating challenging times, emphasizing the importance of connection, remembering one's purpose, prioritizing wellbeing, and maintaining hope.

Show notes:

Grab a copy of the Soil of Leadership: https://amplifypublishinggroup.com/product/nonfiction/business-and-finance/leadership-and-management/the-soil-of-leadership/

Learn more about Britt's organization Perennial: https://www.perennial.org/about/