ANLA’s New Clinic kicks off with keynote address from Greg Bell

Author and speaker Greg Bell opened American Nursery & Landscape Association’s New Clinic with a thought-provoking question: “What’s going well today?”

This unexpected twist on an age-old question characterized The New Clinic, running Jan. 26-29 in Louisville, Ky. Before Bell took the stage, longtime Clinic emcee, John Kennedy, described the new format of the conference, which emphasizes hands-on learning and real-world applications. Also new this year is a variety of virtual applications chosen to energize the Clinic—including live polls and updates via social media.

Bell followed these announcements with a rousing address discussing many principles in his book, “Water the Bamboo: Unleashing the Potential of Teams and Individuals.” In a message that resonated with the green-industry crowd, Bell described how a farmer can water his bamboo patch for many years, with no visible reward. But—once the bamboo breaks through the surface—the plant grows at an astonishing rate. The analogy directly ties to how potential is nurtured in both individuals and teams.

Bell went on to describe the characteristics of a “bamboo farmer” leaders can espouse:
1. Persistence
2. Patience
3. Self-discipline
4. Courage
5. Risk-taking

For more information on Bells’ message, click here. For additional details on The New Clinic, visit www.thenewclinic.org.