THE WIND-TESTED LEADER: A GUIDE TO GROWTH BY DESIGN

-- by Jamey Lutz

More than three decades ago, a group of scientists launched a highly unconventional project named Biosphere 2. The project consisted of a 3.14-acre biodome (a type of greenhouse), complete with numerous miniature ecosystems, including a rain forest, desert, ocean, mangrove swamp, savanna, and rural farm. The biodome was completely self-contained, meaning no air, water, soil, or other elements could enter or exit. Among the major goals of Biosphere 2 was to harvest new insights into the interrelationships between various organisms and their environments, and to fashion an initial framework for potential biodomes in space and beyond.

One of the early observations that initially baffled the Biosphere 2 community had to do with the strange behavior of the tree population. Researchers noted that trees matured much more quickly in the biodome than in the outside world. However, after reaching a certain height, the trees would literally collapse under their own weight! Upon further investigation, it was determined that the absence of wind inside was the underlying cause.

In the natural world, constant and often imperceptible levels of wind create constant stress on trees and plants. Because the biodome was so tightly contained, there was essentially no moving air inside. As such, the trees did not experience the typical resistance and stress found in outdoor environments. Without such stressors, they were unable to develop a structural defense known as reaction bark, ultimately causing them to buckle in what would otherwise appear to be among the safest and most sheltered environments possible.

Stress Is the Wind That Builds Strength

Wind, like healthy stress, is a quiet teacher. It’s uncomfortable. It demands effort. As leaders, our job isn’t to shield employees from all discomfort. Growth rarely occurs in the comfort zone. It is incumbent upon us to challenge employees to venture outside their comfort zone. Standing pat, or merely maintaining the status quo, throttles growth. Learning is supposed to feel uncomfortable. But too much pressure? That’s a hurricane. It uproots rather than reinforces.

The key is to create intentional tension—to stretch people without snapping them. As legendary hotelier J. Willard Marriott once said:

“Good timber does not grow with ease. The stronger the wind, the stronger the trees.”

Coaching by Design: From Panic to Progress

Imagine an employee who dreads public speaking. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, this ranks as the fourth-most-common human phobia—right behind death, spiders, and heights.

Now picture a manager tossing that employee into a room full of clients for a high-stakes pitch. That’s not leadership—it’s a fast pass to the panic zone.

Instead, great coaches build a sequential staircase:

1. Practice the presentation alone, in front of a mirror.

2. Present one-on-one to the manager for feedback.

3. Film the session to review tone and pacing.

4. Present to a small, trusted team and refine again.

5. Deliver the formal presentation.

6. Reflect and incorporate feedback into future sessions.

This kind of scaffolded stress helps people grow without breaking. It mirrors what nature already knows—resistance builds resilience. The goal here is to systematically progress individuals into the learning zone—stretching them to a point of healthy challenge without pushing them into the panic zone.

Lead with Wind, Not Shelter

If you're a leader committed to real growth, be the wind… not the glass dome. Create conditions that nudge, stretch, and challenge your people while enveloping them with trust and empathy. Don’t wait for comfort to wear thin. Step in. Scaffold their discomfort. And watch resilience take root.

Because the goal isn't to keep our teams safe from stress. It's to prepare them to thrive in the midst of it.

jameylutz.com