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Thought piece: Roots and shoots to unleash potential

Updated: 20 hours ago


Shoots in the light

In late 2025 we republished our everyday people website. Big shout out and gratitude to the creative mastermind Marine Joigneault of Ahoy Marine for making that happen!


During the process I had to choose which blogs to keep, and which to let go. There was just one, penned back in 2017, that I feel has stood the test of time despite seismic changes in our working landscape.


I hope you enjoy this summary insight into the Deloitte article: Unlocking human potential - proactive practices for individual elasticity. And in a more catchy title: Roots and shoots to unleash potential.



I'm sure we've all experienced it. That moment when you open an article forwarded from a colleague or friend. The title grabs your attention. You feel the topic resonating. So you keep reading. The first paragraph speaks right to your heart - somehow another has managed to condense your wanderings of the mind into 3 succinct sentences. You read on. And as you scroll through the pages you find yourself screaming "YES!"


This happened for me when I was sent the Deloitte University Press article: Unlocking human potential - proactive practices for individual elasticity. On first glance I nearly clicked away as it's a long read. Luckily, I spotted an interactive graphic and a handful of case studies that convinced me to dig deeper.


Moments later I resisted the urge to air punch. I love the Roots and Shoots framework that underpins the article. An easy to grasp and common sense approach to gaining the benefits we're craving:


  • Focus

  • Improved well-being

  • Increased productivity

  • Adaptability

  • Learning through changing contexts

  • Increased empathy

  • Unleashed creativity

  • Sustaining all the above over a career / lifetime


Illustrated infographic titled “The Elements,” showing a metaphor of roots and shoots to represent personal growth and learning. On the left, large roots depict foundational practices: Rest, Reconnect, and Reflect & Reframe, symbolizing slowing down, grounding, and rethinking. On the right, tree shoots represent outward actions: Act, Adjust and Align, and Amplify and Accelerate, symbolizing creativity, purpose, and action. At the center, a flourishing tree labeled “Purpose & Passion” connects both roots and shoots. The background is teal with white line drawings and descriptive text blocks explaining each element.

In essence, Roots are all about slowing down in order to understand ourselves more, get grounded and prepared for speeding up. And that's where Shoots come in, these are ways to get moving, learning and reveal a greater purpose. For sustainability Roots and Shoots must coexist. They are complementary not contradictory practices.


To unlock human potential in an unpredictable environment, practices that help us both slow down and speed up can help shift the paradigm from stress and survival to excitement and vitality.

I have experienced first hand the complex interplay between well-being and performance. Whilst undertaking professional dance training I experienced burnout by neglecting the importance of nurture. It's no surprise that without caring for the roots, then the shoots of performance are stunted or worse.


By supporting individuals to holistically be at the top of their game, not only will they reap the benefits in career and life fulfilment, but so will their team and your organisation. With deliberate practice we can unleash the remarkable that lies within the everyday.


At everyday people we encourage adopting an experimental mindset and embedding everyday actions. Just because something is common sense doesn't mean it is easy to implement - we need to bridge the intention action gap.


If you're curious about how a coaching culture could unlock this, we'd love to hear from you.



This blog is a snapshot of the Deloitte article and the Roots and Shoots framework; as tempting as it is to summarise all the key elements, I really do believe that it is worth the long read. Enjoy.



 
 
 

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