Growing Employees Like Orchids: Nurturing Talent with Purpose
Last June, I repotted an orchid, confident that with a bit of care, I’d soon see beautiful blooms. Months later, while my orchid hasn’t produced a single flower, it has grown a healthy new leaf. When I shared this with my sister—the Martha Stewart of the family—she said, “Tracey, you need an orchid pot!”
I did some research and discovered she was right. Orchid pots are specifically designed with holes that provide airflow and structure for the roots, allowing them to thrive. Without the proper structure, orchids may look healthy for a time but won’t bloom. It struck me how similar this is to employee growth in the workplace.
Like orchids, employees need the right environment and care to thrive. You can’t force them to bloom, but you can create the conditions for growth. That’s where the ORCHID framework comes in—six essential principles to help your team grow to its full potential.
The ORCHID Framework for Employee Growth
O – Own Growth begins with ownership. Each employee must take responsibility for their purpose and motivation at work. Their “why” cannot be handed to them by their boss or anyone else—it has to come from within. As a leader, you can inspire and guide, but the responsibility for showing up and stepping up ultimately rests with them.
R – Restricted Proper growth often requires focus and discipline. Employees must stay focused on their current role or task to build proficiency before moving on. This principle ties directly to the concept of Singularity in my book SPARK. It’s about narrowing the focus to what matters most, eliminating distractions, and excelling in that one area. Only then can they achieve meaningful progress.
C – Capable Competence isn’t enough; employees also need confidence to succeed. As leaders, it’s our job to equip them with the tools, knowledge, and opportunities they need to build capability and foster a reasonable expectation of success. Confidence grows when they see their efforts translating into tangible results.
H – Helpful Employees thrive when their work serves a greater purpose. Their goals should be solving problems, supporting colleagues, or contributing to meaningful outcomes. When employees see how their efforts help others, it reinforces their value and creates a ripple effect of positivity across the team.
I – Inspiring Vision is the spark that fuels excitement. Employees need to feel inspired by the team’s mission and see how their role contributes to something bigger than themselves. When leaders communicate a compelling vision, it lights a fire in employees, making them eager to contribute.
D – Determined Grit and persistence are the hallmarks of long-term success. Determination reflects how committed an employee is to achieving their goals, overcoming challenges, and staying the course. As leaders, we can encourage this resilience by celebrating effort, providing support during setbacks, and modeling perseverance ourselves.