Recently, while driving through North Dakota on a crisp fall evening, I found myself surrounded by the sights and sounds of harvest. Combines and trucks moved through golden cornfields, reaping the season’s bounty. I imagined the farmers, exhausted but satisfied, reflecting on the season’s challenges and triumphs, and maybe already planning for the next year.

As leaders, we also experience seasons of harvest—those times when projects are completed, goals are hit, or tough challenges are overcome. But unlike farmers who spend time thinking, evaluating, and preparing for the next season, too many leaders rush forward without pausing to reflect on the bigger picture. They jump to the next task, holding a lukewarm celebration at best, and miss the powerful opportunity that comes with these moments of success.

Here are five common mistakes leaders make during a season of “wins,” and what they could do instead to prepare themselves and their teams for the next season of growth.

1. Neglecting to reflect on the growing season

Farmers know that healthy crops rely on a mix of factors—weather, soil quality, and how the land is managed. Before planting the next seed, they assess what worked and what didn’t. Leaders should do the same. Before jumping into the next initiative, ask:
• What lessons did we learn from this success that we can carry forward?
• Which factors were most critical to our success?
• What systems, processes, or relationships need tending to ensure the next harvest is just as abundant?

Taking time to reflect turns success into a learning moment, ensuring that future projects benefit from today’s experience.

2. Celebrating too vaguely

When farmers celebrate, they do it with precision. They talk specifics—how many bushels were harvested, which pests or weather conditions they overcame. Leaders often make the mistake of offering blanket praise, but being too general leaves people feeling unseen. To make your celebration meaningful, dive into specifics:
• How did each team member or department contribute to the win?
• What obstacles did they overcome to achieve success?
• What are the specific outcomes you’re celebrating? (Tip: Use numbers!)

3. Overlooking the weeds

Even with a bumper crop, farmers know there were weeds in the field—elements that could threaten future harvests. Similarly, leaders shouldn’t ignore the challenges they faced along the way. Success doesn’t erase problems; it highlights the importance of dealing with them head-on. Ask your team:
• What challenges or recurring issues need addressing before we move forward?
• Are there any “weeds” that could stifle future success if we don’t manage them now? 
•  How can we turn this moment of success into a springboard for improvement?

Acknowledging the weeds doesn’t diminish the success; it strengthens your ability to maintain it.

4. Failing to prepare the soil for future growth

A growing season drains the soil of nutrients, leaving it in need of replenishment. Successful farmers know that preparation for the next crop begins immediately after the harvest. As a leader, this is your moment to ensure your team has what it needs to keep growing. Ask:
• What resources or support does the team need to sustain momentum?
• How can we channel this win into future development and innovation?
• What skill-building opportunities or growth needs should we focus on now?

5. Keeping the harvest to yourself

Harvest success is never a solo act. Farmers rely on a support network—family, employees, suppliers, and even the community. As a leader, it’s easy to forget all the people who helped you along the way. But true leadership involves sharing the harvest. Reflect on:
• Who supported you through this journey?
• Who went above and beyond to make success possible?
• How can you meaningfully express gratitude to those who contributed?

Gratitude is more than a gesture. It builds loyalty, strengthens relationships, and ensures your support network is there for future seasons.

Driving through the area again a few days later, I noticed the landscape had changed. The once-tall cornstalks had been cut down, scattered onto the soil to enrich it. Fertilizer trucks worked the fields, and somewhere, I imagined, the farmers were already planning for the next growing season.

In leadership, as in farming, how you manage the harvest season determines your future potential. Use this time wisely to keep your team energized, focused, and ready for the next cycle of growth.

Published Oct. 23, 2024, in Jones Loflin’s blog.