Roots and Fruits

I think using the tree as a metaphor for values and behaviors is an excellent one. This was previously illustrated by Stephen M.R. Covey in his book, "The Speed of Trust".

When we talk about "values" and "behaviors", the link here is that values must be translated into behaviors. The reason is because, values are like the roots of a tree. You cannot see the roots of a tree, unless of course you unearth it, as it is underground. Just like values, you cannot tell just by looking at a person what his values are. And if someone tells you he can be trusted, where trust being a value, you are not able to make out whether what he is saying is the truth. Of course you can give him the benefit of the doubt. But what you can observe are his behaviors.

If someone tells you he can be trusted, what might be some of the behaviors that you must see in order for you to trust him? These behaviors must be consistent with "trust". Of course our interpretations might differ, but fundamentally, if trust is a value, you might expect the person to tell the truth about his background. Or you might expect the person to exhibit behaviors such as being dependable, returning a call when he says he will, being on time when an appointment is made, etc.

And of course, the person could slip on one or two occasions, and we might even overlook those instances.

At times, the person may even want to be consistent with a value that he wants to uphold. Like, if an ex-convict tells you that he can be trusted. Do we give him the opportunity to prove himself or do we deny him the chance?

This is where the tree analogy becomes interesting. Say, when you see a tree now, do you think that the tree was there all along? Or did it grew out of seeds? Of course it does. So, when we plant the seeds today, we will also need to take several steps forward so that it can blossom into a tree, and possibly one that bears fruit. So, what are the steps we can take?

We'll need to water the seeds everyday. Possibly add fertilizers. Loosen the soil once in a while. Clear the weeds around the plant. In other words, before we can see the tree, we need to take the necessary steps to nurture it, care for it, give it attention, make sure it gets enough sunlight. Because if we don't, if we neglect it, if we throw coffee in the soil, then not only we will not see the tree, the seeds might not even grow.

Hence, the one thing we must understand is that, the tree is subjected to what we call, natural laws. These natural laws must be observed. We must learn of these natural laws in order for our tree to grow. Say, for instance, we ignore just one of these natural laws. Sunlight. We keep the seeds indoors, while we continue to water it, give it fertilizers; do you think the tree will have any chances of survival? Absolutely not!

Hence, values being the roots, need to be cultivated. It needs to be nurtured. It also needs the right environment to flourish. Especially when it is a value that one has just began to embrace it. It will need to observe the equivalent of the natural laws to blossom into fruits.

Of course, one great way of looking at values and behaviors is to use the logical levels of change first introduced by Gregory Bateson. Some people believe that it is the environment that shapes their behaviors. But of course, we all would have experiences that shows us given the same environment or situation, two people can behave differently.

So, if environment is quite the factor that causes us to behave in a particular way, then what is?

Some believe that it is capabilities that determine our behavior. While it is true in some instances, like unless you have the capability to know how to swim, your behavior in a pool will be very different from someone else who doesn't know how to swim.

However one can also think of a capability that we all have in common. That capability is to murder another person. But why we don't do it, I hope, is because we believe that it is wrong to take another man's life. So how we behave is also a function of our beliefs and values.

And where do beliefs and values come from? They come from our experiences, educational background, upbringing, the company we keep, for instance. And all those aforementioned will form our mindset or identity.

Therefore, if you take the advice of Stephen Covey's Habit 1: Be Proactive, you will work on behaviors if you want to make minor changes. But if you'd like to make a quantum leap, work on mindset. Work on your identity. Because once you are able to shift your mindset, you see a new you, the behavioral changes will happen. Therefore working from inside-out, will require you to start with your mindset, your identity.

And just like the tree that observe natural laws, when you do make that shift in terms of mindset, you will also need to observe the natural laws here.

And the natural laws here are similar to those as the tree. You'll need to work on it everyday. Give it the attention everyday. You will need to constantly remind yourself of the behaviors that are consistent with this new identity. In short, it doesn't happen over night. And unless sufficient attention is given to it, it too will die. And you might revert to the old ways. And then people will see that your behaviors are not consistent with your stated values, and hence you will lose the trust that others see in you.

So, in order to get the fruits (behaviors) that we want, we must have the right roots (values), while observing the natural laws that operate in this environment.