How root knows to grow downward? A HR message for corporate

The phenomenon of ‘Gravitropism’ in plants bears a strong corporate management message. Gravitropism refers to the ability of roots to grow downwards using the gravity of earth as a cue and the aerial branches grow against it, especially towards light.

Scientific experiments have revealed that plants have intelligence and they also use them appropriately when situation warrants. Earlier it was believed that plants use light and water as principle cues and accordingly the roots grow towards water and moves away from light, while the shoots does exactly the opposite.

Scientists have attempted to grow seeds in an environment devoid of any light or in complete darkness to understand the behaviour of growing roots and shoots. They found that when light was not available, still roots grow downward irrespective of the position of the seed and the shoots on the contrary, grows upward. The question was how the roots learn to grow downward even when light was not available to guide them? It was later proved that when light was not available, the roots uses gravity as a cue and grow towards it.

The corporate message is very clear. Every corporate person must follow such working style of plants. While depending on something, also must believe that their instinct is so strong and hence can easily invent several alternative ways to overcome quickly when challenged/threatened. Most people never recognize this truth. They often believe that they have no life if they are outside the corporate. Due to the above thinking, they endure all humiliations and sufferings and somehow work hard to save the job.

Look at the beauty of nature. When light is not there, the seeds never refuse to grow or by mistake also, the roots never grow in the direction of light. The roots never loose their direction because they are not singly and solely depending on one factor, that is light. When one factor is not there (light), their instinct helps them to use the other factor, i.e., the gravity and then grows downward.

The problem comes to people mostly due to people putting all eggs into one basket. Not only they do so but also believe that nothing else they have beyond that. Many people are prisoners of their corporate career. It is purely due to own creation and not due to the corporate.

Everyone has ‘inner’ capability to deal and dialogue with different situations and adversities. All one need to do is to believe in such ‘inner capability’ and deal challenges creatively than limit ones creativity due to a challenge/threat.

Learn the right management message from ‘Gravitropism’ of plants and be successful in your corporate life.

Dr S Ranganathan