Substance or Just Show? 

As I was out for a run in my neighborhood last weekend, I came across a fairly large tree laying on the ground, partially blocking the street.

You may be thinking that this downed tree was a casualty of the recent tornado in our area. But no, this tree simply fell over! We didn’t even have very high winds recently.

Seeing that it was a Bradford pear tree, I wasn’t overly surprised. Bradfords are beautiful flowering trees, but they are notoriously fragile. As I got closer I could see the tree’s now exposed root ball was surprisingly small for the size of the tree. No wonder it collapsed. 

Returning to my house, I admired the incredibly large oak tree that stands in the middle of our front yard.

I don’t know how long it had already been there when our house was built 29 years ago. I just know that since we have lived in our home, that tree has thrived. It appears to be stronger today than it was when we moved in 23 years ago. This tree puts forth no amazing display of either foliage or blooms. It just provides a welcome wealth of shade in the summer and a subtle beauty all its own.  

By contrast, we planted two Bradford pear trees in that same yard about 20 years ago, and both are gone now.

One of them crashed onto the driveway during a storm. The other one had to be taken out when its main trunk split, making it at risk of coming down and causing damage and/or injury.

Doing a little research, I have learned that Bradford pear trees have a life expectancy of 15 to 25 years. Compare that to oak trees. They are expected to live 100-300 years, with many thriving even beyond that.  

So, the message of this blog is pretty predictable: Be an oak tree, not a Bradford pear tree. 

Here’s one of many factors that come to mind: 

Focus on the long term.

• Excel in your current role and learn all you can.
• Absorb all the wisdom you can from each experience and every relationship.
• Be intentional.

Avoid living like a Bradford pear tree, which is described this way: “Despite all the beauty they lend to thousands of landscapes throughout the region, the trees are plagued with one fatal flaw: due to their combination of vigorous growth, weak wood and poor branch structure, they often begin falling apart after only 20 years.”

Another website says, “Bradford pears will seldom last more than 20 years before they bust themselves apart at the seams.” 

Leaders worth following strive for sustained success for themselves, the teams they lead, and the organizations and customers they serve.

Like a mighty oak tree. Substance and not just show.

Written by: Sandy Tush, Partner – Milestone Leadership