Are You Growing Mushrooms or Roses in Your Business?

At SME Financial, we have been working alongside New Zealand small and medium-sized business owners for over 30 years. In that time, I have had the privilege of walking with leaders through seasons of growth, challenge, and change. As a business advisor here in Auckland, I have learnt that how you lead your team can shape the future of your business, whether it simply gets by or grows into something truly thriving.

When I first started in business, I quickly discovered that leadership is not just about ticking tasks off a list. It is about inspiring, guiding, and nurturing the people who help bring your vision to life. Over the years, I have noticed two very different styles of leadership, and they could not be further apart. We call them Mushroom Leadership and Rose Leadership.

Mushroom Leadership: The Hidden Danger

Mushrooms thrive in the dark. They are kept in the shadows and fed just enough to survive. Sadly, some business owners lead this way without even realising it.

Mushroom leaders often

• Have no clear long-term vision for the business.
• Deliver inconsistent or confusing messages to their team.
• Focus only on short-term output instead of long-term development.
• Keep staff in the dark and share only minimal information.

The impact can be serious. People start to feel disconnected and unsure about their future. They are far less likely to share their best ideas, and eventually, many will look for opportunities elsewhere.

Rose Leadership: Cultivating Growth with Intention

Roses do not flourish by accident, they are grown with care and purpose. A rose grower prunes branches that are not heading in the right direction, feeds and waters consistently, protects from pests, and keeps their eyes on the end goal, the bloom.

Rose leaders

• Set a clear vision and align their leadership team around it.
• Recognise each team member’s strengths and coach them to reach their potential.
• Remove behaviours and processes that hold growth back.
• Create a workplace culture where development and performance go hand in hand.
• Celebrate progress and milestones along the way.

This approach is not just good management. It is about building a value-driven, future-focused business that attracts and retains the right people.

How to Start Growing Roses in Your Business

If you want your business to flourish, you need to lead with intention and purpose. It will not happen overnight, but the change is worth it.

Here is where to begin:

1. Define your vision and know where you are heading and why.
2. Align your leadership team and make sure everyone is on the same page.
3. Invest in your people and train them to think ahead, not just react.
4. Create systems and make consistency part of your culture.
5. Celebrate wins and acknowledge and enjoy every step forward.

Over the years, I have watched businesses transform when leaders move from mushroom to rose thinking. It is not about perfection, it is about progress. When you lead with care, clarity, and consistency, your business can grow into something strong, beautiful, and lasting.

Get in Touch

If you are ready to take the next step, SME Financial is here to help. We have been supporting Kiwi businesses for more than three decades, and we would love to work with you to build a business that truly blooms.

Call us today to book your consultation.

Together we can achieve more.