Ikenobo Ikebana: an inspiring concept applicable to leadership
“Ikenobo Ikebana is all about Balance and Harmony“
Ikenobo Ikebana: an inspiring concept applicable to leadership.
On a quiet morning, I entered a Japanese “tea shop”. A lady was confectioning intriguing bouquets. She was sitting quietly in this peaceful environment. After a moment, I realized my curiosity couldn’t be stopped, I wanted to know more about her concept. I decided to ask her all about her practice.
The artist mentioned Ikenobo Ikebana, a Japanese floral art from the 15th century known to emphasize the beauty of natural lines, forms and shapes. Ikenobo Ikebana is all about Harmony, serenity, simplicity, elegance and balance. When listening to her, I realized it offers profound insights that can be applied to successful leadership.
To begin with, Ikenobo Ikebana respects what Gaia is offering us. This art doesn’t try to change or bend the flowers used for the artwork, it simply uses them as they are and incorporates them together to create the perfect balance and harmonization. One of the first adjectives the lady used to describe this art was “Harmony”. A smile appeared on my face. Harmony is for me the all-purpose of my company Ceicia.
It reminds me of us, the people. We are all the same but different. Everyone has their own background and has to grow with it. Our history shaped us with ups and downs. When recruiting our team, we must accept our differences, and learn how to combine them to build a strong and supportive team. This comes down to embracing diversity. A harmonious approach fosters collaboration, reduces conflicts and enhances overall well-being. Everyone has their place on the chessboard.
Then, Ikenobo emphasizes Minimalism and Focus as each flower and branch are chosen for their own specificities and intentionally placed. Leaders should avoid distractions, be purpose-driven and focus on how their team can thrive.
Furthermore, patience and process to arrange an Ikenobo creation are required. It takes time. Similarly, leaders must accept that growth, transformation and team development don’t occur overnight. Cohesion requires consistent effort and nurturing for a team to thrive.
Attention to detail is another skill Ikenobo artists have to master. This art is meticulous and considers each colour, placement, and stem’s angle. Although leaders must see the big picture, paying attention to details remains essential. They have to be excellent observant. This demonstrates a commitment to excellence and builds trust.
Ikenobo respects nature and context. As mentioned at the beginning of this article, this art celebrates nature. Decision-makers when facing challenging situations have several parameters to take into account. They have to understand the context, respect their environment, team members and take into account the cultural context. Another thing, before making a decision, question yourself as well. What are your motives?
This brings us to another point, silence and reflection. Ikenobo artists often work in silence. As a leader don’t underestimate the benefits of quiet moments, self-reflection, meditation and mindfulness. It allows us to recharge, gain clarity and have a retrospective view of the event.
Finally, generosity and sharing are essential for Ikenobo artists. Their creations will be seen and spread beauty. Leaders should share knowledge, empower and wish their teammates can surpass them. Great leaders aren’t afraid of lifting others.
To conclude, plants are shaped by their environment and that’s how they thrive. They adapt constantly and improve. We are very similar; our environment impacts us positively or negatively and makes us who we are. It determines our performance and mindset. By integrating these principles, leaders have a great potential to create a flourishing garden for their team and organization.
Cécile Lammer,
Ceicia’s founder