People sometimes avoid getting into the mud.
The muck can be messy, uncomfortable, and leave traces of dirt all over us.
But ever feel like it might be time to dig up old habits and practices and start over? Have any areas of your organization become a bit overgrown?
I recently experienced the power of renewal firsthand working with the Pacific Whale Foundation on Maui. As part of a project giving back to ‘āina, or the land, the board and staff spent several hours restoring native wildlife habitat at Waiheʻe Coastal Dunes & Wetland Refuge. The work helped to preserve one of the most significant cultural sites in Hawai‘i.
Sacred Work and Learning
Our day began with oli (chant) to the ʻahu, or sacred altar. The oli announced who we were and spoke of our intention to be present and learn from the kumu (teacher), who was the staff and the ʻāina. The oli also recognized the beautiful landscape and asked for our protection.
A patient Hawaii Land Trust educator then demonstrated the ancient practice of taro restoration.
The process was methodical and mindful: First, we had to take off our shoes and stand in the small lo‘i, or flooded taro field. We sliced off all leaves larger than our palms, protecting the youngest stalk on each plant. Then, we started breaking root systems with our feet, digging our heels into the mud and breaking up the underground systems that had become entangled over time.
In this case, digging our heels in was absolutely the right thing to do.
Once the taro stalk was loose, we cleaned off the harvested corm (the part that people eat, which gets mashed into poi, the traditional Hawaiian staple food) with the back of a blade. Once most of the dirt was removed, we sliced the corm from the huli (the stalk) and then replanted the huli into the empty taro field.
What We Learned from the Mud
As we did this tiring but rewarding work, some learnings emerged that seem relevant for non-profits today.
Don’t be afraid of wading into the muck. The messiness of organizational change can be renewing if you approach it with the right mindset. As we stomped around together in the mud, laughing at our failures and our small successes, we discovered something unexpected—letting our toes sink into the earth was deeply grounding. You can find peace in transformation if you embrace the process.
Never cut off the young growth. New shoots are about the future. Be careless with young growth, and new initiatives won’t take root. Emerging talent, fresh ideas, and innovative approaches are essential for remaining relevant.
Have faith when breaking up old root systems. Entrenched processes and systems don’t release their hold easily. We have to stay strong and dig deep when breaking up old roots that can keep dysfunctional patterns in place. Disruption is necessary for renewal.
Look out for rot and make clean breaks. If you identify soft, decaying elements in your organization’s culture or processes, the best approach is swift, decisive action. Slow, painful response or trying to salvage what is already compromised only spreads decay.
Be gentle when uprooting. When removing outdated systems or people who need to go, avoid yanking too hard. Aggressive approaches can leave broken pieces behind that continue to cause problems underground.
The Beauty of Restoration
We left the taro fields muddy and sweaty, the earth clinging to us as if it was reluctant to let us go. Even when we hosed off, the mud held on.
Meaningful work leaves its mark.
Seeing the newly planted huli, beginning to take root, was amazing. There is something profound about witnessing renewal in action, whether on the earth or in the organizations we serve.
And just as this taro restoration required patience and willingness to get our hands dirty, organizational transformation demands the same of us. The work won’t always be clean or comfortable, but the results can make every muddy step worthwhile.
What areas of your organization might benefit from this kind of thoughtful restoration? We’d love to explore that question with you.
Summer is the perfect time to step back, evaluate, and realign priorities. It is a perfect time to think through a purposeful reset of your fundraising and organizational strategies. Tips from the team at DBD Group will help you emerge energized and focused for the busy season ahead.
