Beyond the Flowers: Cultivating Substance for Lasting Success
“Form and substance are opposite ends of the same coin.”
- Ronald Reagan
I was reading The Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi when I came across a pretty cool sentence. Musashi was talking about the way people work in their professions. He says, “Of the two, flowers and fruit, the world is full of more flowers than actual fruit.” He goes on to say that martial arts schools were focused more on the flash and flurry of handling the weapons (flowers) rather than using the weapons in life-or-death situations (fruit).
It's easy to get swept away by the allure of flowers—those glitzy gimmicks and empty promises that seem enticing but lack actual value. We see this everywhere: in our careers, personal relationships, and even within ourselves. But to achieve real success, we must dig deeper, moving past superficiality to discover the fruit of genuine effort and authenticity. This journey is not just about what we say but what we live through our actions.
Move Past the Flowers: The Illusion of Gimmicks
Flowers are beautiful but fleeting. They catch our attention with their vibrant colors and fragrant scents, yet they eventually wilt and fade away. In contrast, fruit represents nourishment and sustenance; it is what provides energy and health. Just as we should seek out the fruit in our endeavors, we must be cautious of the flowers that offer nothing beyond a momentary thrill.
When I was teaching and then as a coach, I sat through meeting after meeting of people who hid their lack of substance in the flowery presentation format, the lack of measurable actions, and in promising what they never could deliver.
This was a perfect example of Flowers vs. Fruit. The time wasted trying to push this agenda into reality cost us time, effort, and money, ultimately costing the organization valuable wins. When listening to the news, reading social media posts, or sitting through your meetings, keep these two ideas in mind:
· Beware of Empty Promises: Many ventures promise quick success or instant gratification. These can be misleading traps that distract us from our actual goals.
· Choose Meaningful Challenges: Instead of getting caught up in the flowers, focus on tasks that challenge you intellectually or emotionally. These experiences build resilience and character.
· Understand the Problem: People are often afraid to present the facts. Demand the truth no matter how much it hurts at the moment
· Attack the Problem with Action: Once we understand the problem, we can build a plan based on facts to solve the issues at hand.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
In our pursuit of success, it’s crucial to remember that “talking about it” is far less impactful than “being about it.” This principle applies across all areas of life.
Truthtellers are pushed aside because they can see through the flowers and want to get to the heart of the problem. Hans Christian Andersen’s folk tale, The Emperor’s New Clothes, is a perfect example of hiding the truth instead of doing the work to solve the problem.
The threat of recrimination can allow people to continue hiding the truth through their words rather than working towards making it real.
· Lead by Example: When you stand up for your values through your words and actions, you inspire others to do the same. Genuine leadership stems from authenticity.
· Consistent Effort Over Empty Rhetoric: Rather than making grand declarations about your intentions or ambitions, commit to consistent daily actions that align with your goals.
· Hold Each Other Accountable: When there is an open dialogue on the value of the ideas at hand, the truth will shine brighter than all of the gimmicks on the table.
· Open-Minded Leadership: When presented with a clear path, leaders must be willing to reconsider their thinking and proceed.
Work for Long-lasting Impact
In both personal and professional life, choosing projects with lasting effects will always yield greater rewards than those that look good on paper.
It is essential to understand each idea thoroughly. The first place to look is to understand who will receive the most benefits from any idea that is put into action. Is it the whole or the individual? Too often, the person who comes up with the new idea is doing themselves a self-service through kickbacks or the ability to put their agenda into action.
· Invest in Relationships: Building strong connections requires time and effort, resulting in a supportive network that enriches your personal life and career.
· Pursue Skills That Matter: Rather than being swayed by trends, focus on developing skills that will serve you well into the future—these may include emotional intelligence, critical thinking, or creativity.
· Understand the End Game: Instead of doing projects with no lasting effect, make plans that will change how you do your profession in years to come.
Be a Truthteller in Your Life
Honesty is not just a moral choice; it’s a practical one. Being truthful in how you deal with people builds trust and creates an environment where authentic relationships can thrive.
If there is a question of honesty in the air, then paranoia will grow like a weed strangling creative thought that might have a chance to change the path of the organization and the people who work for it. When someone has an idea, it needs to be brought into the light of the “team” so that each leader can understand how they will fit in. Without transparency, there will be no unity; without unity, there will be no positive growth.
· Cultivate Transparency: Communicating openly with others encourages a culture of honesty where everyone feels valued and heard.
· Embrace Vulnerability: Sharing your authentic self—even your flaws—can strengthen bonds and promote understanding among peers.
· Be Blunt: If you see an issue developing, bring it to the table. You may be right or wrong, but either way, it will clear the air and bring about an understanding of where everyone stands.
Fruit > Flowers (Substance > Gimmicks)
As we strive for success, remember that actual achievement lies not in the beauty of the flowers but in the nourishing fruit that comes from hard work, integrity, and lasting relationships. Moving past superficial gimmicks and committing ourselves to meaningful pursuits while living with open communications and transparency will create a legacy built on substance rather than style.
Choose authenticity over appearance; choose depth over distraction; choose truth over pretense. The fruits of your labor will blossom beautifully when grown with care and truthfulness.
