I was watching a podcast by Vishen Lakhiani, and something he shared really stuck with me. Vishen did an experiment with his team that highlights a powerful truth about how our emotions and words impact growth—whether it’s in life, business, or even leadership.
In the experiment, they planted three seeds in different pots: Pot A was placed by a window and left alone. Pot B was exposed to negative phrases like “you are ugly, you won’t grow.” Pot C received only positive affirmations.
Over time, the results were striking.
Pot C, the one that received positive reinforcement, grew the tallest and healthiest. Pot B, subjected to negativity, struggled, with its leaves curling inward. Pot A grew moderately, without any special treatment.
This got me thinking: if plants, something so simple, can be affected so deeply by their environment, how much more are we impacted by the emotions, words, and energy we surround ourselves with? As leaders and entrepreneurs, the words we speak to ourselves and to our teams matter. Doubt, negativity, or harsh self-talk can stifle our growth, just like Pot B. On the other hand, fostering a culture of positivity, belief, and encouragement can help us and our teams thrive like Pot C.
In business, what kind of environment are we cultivating? Are we creating spaces that allow us to grow to our full potential, or are we unintentionally stunting our progress with negativity? The way we communicate with ourselves and others can be the difference between staying stagnant and experiencing true growth.
