When you climb into the canopy of a redwood tree, you lose sight of the ground entirely. You're transported into an undiscovered ecosystem—a world above the world—with layers of soil sitting on thick branches and huckleberry bushes growing at 250 feet in the air. How did those get there? Experts believe that huckleberry seeds blew in on the wind, landing serendipitously in the nutrient-rich soil that formed on the branches, creating the perfect environment for them to thrive.
Redwood Leader’s origin mirrors this remarkable story of resilience, growth, and serendipity.
A Seed Planted by Chance
The Redwood Leader journey began when three seasoned professional development leaders—Shaunna from Northern California and James and Bart from Kansas City—crossed paths while working for an international business advisory firm. Each brought their own unique gifts: Shaunna’s expertise in human resources and operations, James’s mastery of learning and development, and Bart’s career coaching prowess.
Much like huckleberry seeds finding fertile ground, their collaboration flourished as they partnered on leadership development and strategic planning initiatives across industries such as accounting, manufacturing, banking, and agriculture. Over the years, their professional respect deepened into friendship as they bonded over shared perspectives, humor, and a mutual passion for helping others unlock their potential.
The Winds of Change
In 2021, the winds of change blew again, and each of them transitioned to new opportunities. But their story was far from over. Later that year, they reunited on a video call. Shaunna, inspired by her walks in the towering redwood forests near her home, shared an epiphany: "You can learn a lot about leadership from redwood trees."
Her observations had sparked a research journey that would soon take shape as a transformative leadership framework. The conversation shifted from nostalgia to purpose—how could they share these valuable lessons with individuals and organizations craving a new leadership approach?
The ECOsystem Leadership Model
Redwood trees thrive through interconnectedness. Their roots don’t grow deep but extend outward, intertwining with the roots of neighboring trees. This mutual support system enables them to withstand fierce storms, fires, and the test of time.
Inspired by this natural phenomenon, Shaunna, James, and Bart co-created the ECOsystem Leadership Model, designed to empower leaders at all levels by fostering connection, collaboration, and growth.
The model addresses a critical pain point for many organizations: the gap between established leaders and emerging talent. By nurturing relationships, creating safe spaces for innovation, and building support networks, the model provides a clear path to leadership success.
A New Canopy to Explore
Now, James, Bart, and Shaunna find themselves once again in a vibrant canopy of unexplored opportunity, ready to share their treasure trove of leadership lessons. Redwood Leader is more than a consulting firm—it’s a community dedicated to empowering leaders and organizations to reach new heights.
Join the Redwood Leader Community
The redwoods teach us that growth and resilience stem from connection and shared support. Just like the majestic giants, Redwood Leader believes that the roots of connection foster the most magnificent growth.
We invite you to join us. Let’s climb to new heights, explore new ways of thinking, and discover the leader within.
What inspires you most about redwoods? Share your thoughts and connect with us—we’re ready to grow and thrive together.
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