If your social media feeds are anything like ours, they’re full of inspirational quotes and stories about success and teamwork. We, however, found an exotic yet equally provoking example right in the produce aisle.
Enter, the pineapple. Yes, this tropical plant with its multiple edible fruit is one of nature’s most incredible examples of teamwork, not to mention many other paragons of business speak.
Did you know? The fruit of the pineapple plant is actually 200-plus flowers coming together to form a single fruit. Not THAT’S teamwork. No matter how big or small your team, pulling them together can make something really special happen.
A pineapple plant only produces a single fruit in a single growing season. You could say they’re like great ideas, great team members, and great clients; they’re pretty special.
It can take up to three years for a pineapple fruit to grow ready for harvest. Like success, it doesn’t happen overnight. Time, patience, and hard work are all required to get results.
The Mayans and the Aztecs knew about pineapples long before Columbus brought them back to Europe and garnered the amazement of the Old World. This one’s a twofer. Don’t take anything for granted, and yes— an idea, product, or service that doesn’t inspire one client may “wow” the next.
For years, the word “pineapple” referred to both the fruit AND what we now call pine cones. (That could have been confusing on a 17th century shopping list.) Avoid that opportunity. Listen to what your client, friend, or teammate is really saying, not just the words they’re using.
The pineapple is not a one trick pony. It can be used to make wine, tenderize meat, serve as a fancy cup for your fruity, poolside drink, or a very non-traditional jack-o-lantern. Lesson here: look beyond the obvious in your teammates, tools, and ideas.
So be like the pineapple! They’re a helluva success story.
Like that story? Why not let us tell yours? Hit us up at info@well-runmedia.com