Weedwork: On Land, Love & Leadership

Organisational leadership, parenting, supervision, aunty-ing / uncling, art making, mentoring, neighboring, story telling - are diverse forms of leadership that are rarely recognised as a similar practice.

These responsibilities require a deep commitment to self knowledge, self honestly, criticality, humility, patience and grace - the dignifying processes that are so often unrewarded within individualistic social structures.

In nature there are many examples of plants classified as ‘weeds’, contributing to the restoration of ecosystems, often sacrificially. Weeds can soften the ground, fix nutrients, stabilise soil, provide protection and clear the way for more vulnerable species to establish themselves. Leaders committed to building a safe world are required to make the same kinds of invisible sacrifices.