People often ask me how Silver Maple Strategies got its name. It turns out there's a lot in a name, so much so that I first introduced the company and its origin story over on my Substack, The Silver Maple Memo. I'll paraphrase here for those of you who are new to the company. (And if that includes you: A heartfelt welcome!)
It’s named after these big, amazing trees that tower over our little homestead here in Missouri. They grow quickly, live a great life and then become firewood to warm us in winter.
A great story closely mirrors the life of a tree in the sense that it:
Starts with the seed of a powerful idea.
Sets deep roots as the idea gains nourishment, tumbling around inside the mind of the storyteller and bouncing off the realities of the outside world.
Begins to grow and become visible to anyone who cares to look, and it continues to climb until it’s impossible to ignore.
Reaches maturity and stands as a testament to the commanding presence of words and those who speak them compellingly.
Ages and ends its natural cycle, leaving behind rings that remind us of how we felt when we first heard it—and a longing to hear it again
Having worked as a social impact executive, it's especially important to me that deserving people and organizations break through a noisy media ecosystem. It's also important that those same people enjoy a healthy and joyful balance of professional pursuits and personal priorities - such as spending time with family and friends, working on a hobby or simply reading a good book.
The irony for too many social purpose leaders and organizations is that they work harder than just about anyone I know to make the world a better place, and too often, the result is that their own personal needs take a back seat.
Now more than ever, we face big global issues that require big and brave actions by leaders across the world. Our focus at Silver Maple Strategies is to provide the encouragement, the communications resources and the strategies to help purpose-driven professionals bring greater balance to themselves personally and to their families.
Let's get to it.
Comments