Concrete Quandaries and a Garden Epiphany
We live on a corner lot in a small suburban town. Two years ago, my husband and I made the bold (some would say foolish) decision to gut our dated and overgrown landscaping. We were excited to invest in the home we love and make it our own.
In the world of landscaping, I’m what you would refer to as a “brown thumb.” Determined to become a “green thumb extraordinaire,” I bought books, subscribed to blogs, and walked the neighborhood seeking inspiration. After thoughtful planning, we headed to our pre-determined local nurseries and invested quite a few dollars in shrubs, ground cover, perennials, and a few colorful annuals. We planted our little investments over a weekend and then sat back in our porch chairs, ready to watch the glory of our greenery unfold before our eyes. Two years later, we’re still waiting.
The progress that first spring and summer was underwhelming. The shade-loving clematis vine trickled its way up the lattice, a single flower partially opened in August, followed by a mass browning of the fledgling leaves. The groundcover didn’t so much carpet the beds as it speckled them with weed-like sproutings. Our showstopper smoke bush yielded one withering stem. My search for answers uncovered a green thumb basic: the “sleep, creep, leap” theorem.
The “Sleep, Creep, Leap” Theorem for Workplace Growth
SLEEP: Year one, newly planted greenery prioritizes deepening roots and establishing a lifeline beneath the surface. Above the soil, there is little to no growth and sometimes visible retreat.
CREEP: Year two, with deep roots, plants begin to venture out in the daylight, ever-so-slowly, perhaps even offering a few blooms.
LEAP: Year three, plants spring forth. They are noticeable and have undeniable presence and visibility in the garden bed.
Two years into our landscaping journey, there is much evidence in our yard of creeping—and even a few early leapers.
I believe there are a number of takeaways from this green-rule-of-thumb that we can apply to the workplace. Maybe you’ve just started a new role in your organization or recently started at a new employer. Or perhaps you’ve been in your position for some time but are not experiencing the professional growth you hoped for. What insights can we glean from green thumbs? Consider the following:
Establish Relationships and Deepen Knowledge
Early on, worry less about how you are seen across the organization and instead take time and care to understand your coworkers, workplace culture, organizational history, and strategic priorities. Listen and learn from your teammates, and resist the urge to over-present new strategies in order to make yourself stand out. Observe key players and identify what they value and how they operate. This is down and dirty root work.
Test Leadership in Community
Once you’ve established a deep root system and prioritized learning from seasoned coworkers, try something new. Is there a cross-functional team that you could join? Is there a special project in your department that could benefit from your expertise? Have you communicated to your direct report that you want to grow your responsibilities and influence? Explore opportunities while remembering to appreciate and leverage the relationships and knowledge you’ve carefully cultivated.
Make Standout Contributions
Now you have institutional knowledge and trust from coworkers—and have collaborated in visible, valuable ways. You have a clear understanding of your organization’s strategic plan and your role in it. It’s time to take the leap. You understand your unique value-add and have a clear line of sight on where you can provide more significant contributions to your department and organization. Confidently utilize strategic partnerships and harness your workplace capital to bring a more influential voice to the table.
Concrete Conundrums and Eco-Friendly Solutions
Just as I’ve observed the ebb and flow of growth in our garden, the concrete industry has its own challenges and opportunities when it comes to sustainability. Traditional concrete production is a significant contributor to global carbon emissions, accounting for approximately 8% of the world’s greenhouse gas output. The manufacture of cement, the primary binding agent in concrete, is an energy-intensive process that releases large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere.
However, the concrete sector is not standing idly by. Innovative minds are hard at work, uncovering eco-friendly alternatives and revolutionizing the way we think about this ubiquitous building material. Let’s dive into some of the sustainable concrete revelations that are shaking up the industry.
Rethinking Cement: Lowering the Carbon Footprint
One of the most promising developments in sustainable concrete is the exploration of alternative cement formulations. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have been studying the durability and longevity of ancient Roman concrete, which has stood the test of time for over 2,000 years. Their findings suggest that the key to this remarkable resilience lies in the use of a unique lime-based binder, rather than the traditional Portland cement.
By mimicking the chemical composition and curing process of this ancient material, scientists are developing innovative cement blends that significantly reduce the carbon footprint of concrete production. These alternative cements often incorporate industrial byproducts, such as fly ash or slag, further minimizing the environmental impact.
Upcycling Waste: Transforming the Circular Economy
Concrete’s sustainability journey doesn’t stop at the cement composition. Across the industry, innovative thinkers are exploring ways to incorporate waste materials into the concrete mix, turning liabilities into valuable assets.
One fascinating example is the use of recycled plastic waste. Researchers have discovered that mixing shredded plastic bags and bottles into the concrete can enhance its durability and reduce its weight, all while diverting plastic from landfills. This not only addresses the global plastic pollution crisis but also offers a practical solution for the construction industry.
Similarly, the incorporation of industrial byproducts, such as slag from steel production or fly ash from coal-fired power plants, can create a win-win scenario. These waste materials become valuable ingredients in the concrete mix, reducing the need for virgin resources and the associated environmental impact.
Embracing Natural Solutions: Biomimicry in Concrete Design
Taking inspiration from nature, some innovators are exploring biomimicry as a pathway to sustainable concrete. By studying the intricate structures and resilient properties of natural materials, they are developing concrete formulations that mimic these evolutionary adaptations.
For example, researchers have been inspired by the tough, dense structure of seashells, which are composed of calcium carbonate and organic compounds. By replicating this natural composite, they have created concrete mixes that are more durable, resistant to cracking, and able to self-heal minor damages.
Another biomimicry-inspired innovation is the use of bacterial concrete. These formulations incorporate specialized microorganisms that can “heal” cracks and fissures as they appear, prolonging the lifespan of the concrete and reducing the need for maintenance and repairs.
Toward a Greener Future: The Concrete Revolution
As I reflect on the slow but steady progress in our garden, I’m reminded that true transformation often takes time and patience. The concrete industry is on a similar journey, navigating the challenges of sustainability and embracing innovative solutions to reduce its environmental impact.
From rethinking cement compositions to upcycling waste materials and mimicking nature’s design principles, the concrete sector is undergoing a sustainable revolution. These eco-friendly advancements are not only reducing greenhouse gas emissions but also paving the way for a more resilient, circular, and nature-inspired built environment.
So, as you embark on your own professional journey, take heart in the lessons of the “sleep, creep, leap” theorem. Nurture your roots, test your wings, and when the time is right, leap forward with confidence. Just as the concrete industry is uncovering innovative solutions, you too can uncover your own path to growth and impact within your organization.
