Binding the Roots: Caring for a Community in Change
I recently saw a meme that stated, “In Japan, if a tree is in the way of road building, they bind the roots and move it.” Of course, I had to do my own digging because I found that so fascinating, considering I engage in a culture that oftentimes just razes anything in its way. What I found was that Japan does not cut down trees along the roadside. If there is a tree in the way of construction, they have to get a special binding machine and bind the roots. They then move it to a desirable location, replant it, and monitor it until it is strong again.
Most of us are in the path of some form of change. Change can be, for some, frustrating, hard, anxiety-riddled and unwelcome. Even for the most flexible personalities, change can sometimes cause pain or uneasiness.
Change for organizations can be presented with many obstacles. Differentiating needs, managing multiple changes, lack of visibility in the change process, and fear of loss are common challenges.
“What if we spent more time making sure that the change in the road considered everyone? ”
What if we treated people and communities during change with the same respect as the aforementioned trees? What if we spent more time making sure that the change in the road considered everyone? What if we took special consideration for people who have built, supported, and been a part of communities or organizations for years? What could happen if we took the time to manage the care of those being displaced by change?
I think about how different organizations and communities could look and function had the path to progress been more respectfully chartered. Those team or community members were not just supplanted because it was convenient but that change was a little more considerate. There could be an opportunity to not just move forward, but strengthen the ecosystem by making compassionate change.
Sometimes shifts are inevitable and ultimately better for the whole. The road ahead may provide greater accessibility, increase opportunities for the organization and community, and maximize efficiencies. The caution is that just because we can clearly see where we are headed doesn’t mean we should move forward at any cost.
Just as these trees in Japan are moved to new places where they have an opportunity to continue to grow and thrive, we have the capacity to do the same for people. We have the ability to bind the roots: the institutional knowledge, the experience, and the strengths of people who are impacted by change. This effort not only reminds us of the importance of everyone within the community/organization, but it also provides an opening for those having to shift an offering of space to continue to be healthy contributors to the community or organization.