The Greenhouse Effect

Strategize and goal set all you want. You might be the strongest seed, but you need the right environment to thrive

About a decade ago, I was embarking on one of my biggest life pivots.

I was leaving the only industry I knew (investment management) and venturing into…something different. I didn’t know what yet.

One thing I knew—I needed to change my environment.

It was a difficult and lonely period. Because I loved my job (although I did have a new boss whom I absolutely could not have in my daily environment).

But it was more than that. I was feeling stagnant. Like I was being held back. That I had so much more to give. That I wasn’t learning and growing and stretching in the way I needed to be.

Title and money can’t give that to you. Only the right environment.

Could I describe what I needed in my ideal environment? Nope. But I knew I would know when I found it.

One day during my transition, I did.

I had recently been invited to join the International Women’s Forum (IWF) in Northern California. Our Forum was hosting an annual June new members welcome. I was among the eight new members over the prior year who would be formally introduced at the Saturday luncheon.

That Friday was a long day at work. It was the day we went public with the news that I would be leaving my firm. 

For me, the day was long because it was emotional—there were touching words (sometimes from the people you’d least expect) and repeated questions (what are you doing next?)

I couldn’t wait for the clean, refreshing environment of the IWF luncheon.

When I arrived, I was told that each new member would be invited to the podium to introduce themselves.

The calm smile on my face hid my inner turmoil. What on earth was I going to say?

To introduce myself by my current role was not the full truth. To stand up in front of some of the most esteemed women in the San Francisco Bay Area without a vision and plan was unimaginable.

I wish I could say I enjoyed my salad and getting to know my table mates. But my mind was spinning as to what I would say, even as I stepped up to the podium.

What did I do?

I did both.

I shared my current role. Then, I explained exactly where I was that weekend—what I knew, didn’t know, and what it felt like.

I shared that in a few weeks I would be heading to Kenya to coach at a girls school, would write about it (my blog has since become JodiMorris.co) and would see what happens next.

I invited anyone who had ideas to share them. I remember thinking what a shame it would be to waste this fertile environment.

It was one of the wisest things I have done.

• “Congratulations on your first transition, I’m on my fourth.”
• “I know that part of Kenya. Let’s have coffee before you leave.”
• “I would love to hear more. Here’s my card. Put me on your subscription list, and reach out when you are back.”

This network of incredible women—in Northern California, New Mexico and globally—remain a key part of my environment today.

As leaders, we naturally focus on goals, outcomes, performance. 

But we often overlook the most powerful thing behind our leadership potential—our environment.

As a success coach, I spend a lot of time with my clients talking about their environment.

Sometimes it’s their physical space. But what is most important—as I know from my own experience—are the people around you.

Last week, a client sent me this short article—The Greenhouse Effect.

The analogy hit.

Maybe it’s because I’ve been spending hours working in the yard of late. Maybe it’s the emphasis I always put on people.

Just like the strongest seed won’t flourish in poor soil, leaders don’t thrive in unsupportive environments. 

It’s up to each of us to fertilize our soil.

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What about YOUR environment? Is it lighting you up? Giving you the space to stretch, evolve, and experiment? Challenging you with feedback and ambitious peers?

Here are three questions to ask yourself:

💡 Light – Are you visible, getting recognition, accessing new opportunities?

📏 Space – Do you have room to explore, reimagine your identity, and grow?

⚡ Growth – Are you receiving stretch assignments and honest feedback?

If you’re feeling stuck or under-leveraged—it might be time to repot.

Talk to a trusted mentor, colleague or coach. Don’t wait until you “figure out what you want to do” before you reach out. 

Because what you want to do is create your fertile environment. 

It’s job one. And those trusted people? It’s likely they’ve been exactly where you are. 

Just like I was.

Which means I am always open for chatting.

I’m curious…what’s missing from your greenhouse right now?