How Gardeneers taught us about growth and strategy

 written by: Nadine Wiggerich

Northwest of Chicago, Police sirens in the distance, Ambulance crossing our way, fences surrounding the most houses. The Sun is shining, lighting broken glass and plastic waste covering green left over islands between closed stores and industrial buildings while nearly every block offers holy buildings. 

Among hope and misery a recently renovated school building surrounded by a new soccer field and inviting playgrounds allows space for the school´s garden that is actually treated by Adam Zmick, Executive Director and Co-founder of Gardeneers. He collaborates with May Tsupros to build up a company as well as a network that helps schools to run a garden with and for their pupils. On site Adam and his team help the kids to understand what farming and healthy nutrition is all about. 

This is Adam Zmick - Executive Director and Co-founder of Gardeneers

He has a clear vision: Help the kids living a healthier life that is worth living not only by gardening but by gaining more knowledge about nutrition, teamwork and community. For Adam internal motivation by causing a change in somebody else´s life enforces him to continue his work. (See further garden projects in Chicago)

Adams possibility to catch our attention by stating his clear vision had shown his real leadership skills that condense as the ability to motivate other people to get the best out of them. He enforced us as he does with the kids to get things done together and in the end feeling connected through a common experience. 

We got to know that successful leadership is about more than delegation. It combines communication and motivation to get other people out of their daily routine. “You take little steps to get everywhere” Adam said and teamwork is even the most important thing he looks for when he hires people. 

Beautiful trees are now growing in the school´s garden

Especially startup businesses as we face in our actual courses at Kendall Collage require teamwork skills internalized by leader and employee and even become multiplied by convincing motivation. These skills help to succeed in tough situations during the first years and should be kept in mind while heading towards growth and inclusion.

Keep on growing and thanks for reading, 

Yours Nadine