The Power of Seasons in Growth and Change
Every meaningful transformation follows a process—one that mirrors the natural rhythms of gardening. Before a single plant flourishes, the soil must be prepared, the seeds must be planted, consistent care must be given, and finally, the harvest arrives.
This cycle isn’t just about nature—it’s about life, leadership, and impact. My fireside chat framework follows these four key phases:
• Tilling – Tough Truths
• Planting – Purposeful Preparation
• Cultivating – Commitment to Connection
• Harvesting – Skills for Sustained Success
These four phases were inspired by historical figures whose influence has shaped the world in powerful ways.
1. Tilling – Tough Truths (Inspired by Malcolm X)
Tilling is the hardest phase. Before seeds can be planted, the soil must be broken—rocks removed, weeds pulled, and hardened ground softened. Tilling exposes what lies beneath, revealing both the richness and the obstacles.
Malcolm X embodied this stage. He was unafraid to speak tough truths about race, power, and injustice in America. His words forced society to confront uncomfortable realities, much like a farmer must confront the raw condition of the soil before planting anything new.
Tilling is also where prophecy comes into play. One of my many spiritual gifts is prophecy—not just in the sense of foretelling the future, but in challenging the status quo and calling for transformation. Prophecy is about seeing what is possible, what must change, and boldly speaking truth to power to make that change happen.
In my fireside chats, I begin with this phase by challenging the status quo, addressing the barriers, and exposing the realities that need to be acknowledged before real change can happen.
🔹 SAQ – Should Ask Question:
What truths do we continue to avoid, and how do those unspoken truths hold us back from meaningful progress?
2. Planting – Purposeful Preparation (Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.)
After tilling, it’s time for planting. This phase is about equipping, educating, and laying down seeds of knowledge and strategy.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a master of planting seeds—not just of hope, but of action. His speeches and teachings gave people the tools and vision needed to build a better future. His work was intentional, methodical, and purpose-driven, ensuring that the seeds of justice and equity were deeply embedded in society.
In my fireside chats, this phase is where I transition from awareness to actionable insights—providing frameworks, knowledge, and strategies that empower people to take the next step forward.
🔹 SAQ – Should Ask Question:
How can we move from awareness to action in ways that create lasting impact?
3. Cultivating – Commitment to Connection (Inspired by Bryan Stevenson)
Once seeds are planted, they need constant care—water, sunlight, and protection from threats. This is the cultivation phase, where patience and persistence are required to ensure growth.
Bryan Stevenson, the founder of the Equal Justice Initiative, exemplifies this phase. His work is about staying connected to the mission, relentlessly advocating for justice, and ensuring that the seeds of change don’t wither in the face of resistance.
Cultivation is about maintaining momentum, reinforcing commitment, and re-aligning people with the mission. It’s about making sure the work continues, despite obstacles. In my fireside chats, I emphasize how people can stay connected to their purpose, even in the face of doubt or adversity.
🔹 SAQ – Should Ask Question:
How do we sustain momentum and keep people engaged in the mission for the long haul?
4. Harvesting – Skills for Sustained Success (Inspired by Barack Obama)
The final phase is harvest, where the results of labor are realized. But more importantly, it’s about developing skills that allow people to sustain success even under pressure.
President Barack Obama represents this stage. His election was a harvest moment—the result of decades of struggle, education, and advocacy. However, the lesson of harvest is that it is not an end, but a beginning. A successful harvest leads to new skills, new opportunities, and new challenges.
In my fireside chats, I help teams develop skills that allow them to perform well repeatedly under stress. Habits are important, but skills are what make high performance repeatable under pressure.
🔹 SAQ – Should Ask Question:
What skills do we need to develop so that we can consistently perform at a high level, even in difficult situations?
A True Story That Brought It All Together
A few years ago, I had new sod laid in our front yard. I wanted a fresh start—lush, green grass that would transform the look of my home. But as I quickly learned, getting new sod to take root is a process.
At first, it was frustrating. I had to be patient, watering it regularly, waiting for it to settle. Some areas of the lawn were thriving, while others looked weak. The grass was supposed to take root, but there was one large patch that wasn’t growing the way it should.
I kept thinking something must have gone wrong—maybe the sod wasn’t good, maybe I didn’t water it enough, or maybe I had missed a step in the process.
Later, my landscaper came by and took one look before giving me the answer: “You need to cut back the tree limbs.”
The problem wasn’t the sod itself—it was the environment. The tree overhead was blocking too much sunlight, and the type of grass I had needed direct exposure to thrive. The moment I removed the barrier, the grass started growing like it was supposed to.
That experience was a sermon for me because in order to get to a true harvest, everything has to align.
• Tilling: The soil had to be prepared—old grass removed, ground leveled. If I had skipped this part, the new sod wouldn’t have had a chance.
• Planting: The sod had to be placed correctly and watered consistently. It wasn’t enough to just put it down and hope for the best.
• Cultivating: I had to be patient and persistent, ensuring it had the right conditions to grow.
• Harvesting: The final piece wasn’t just about watering and waiting—it was about removing obstacles that were preventing growth.
This is exactly how transformation works in leadership, coaching, and community change. Sometimes we’re doing all the right things, but something in the environment is holding us back. Until we identify and remove those barriers, growth will always be limited.
That’s why my fireside chats aren’t just about motivation—they’re about clarity, strategy, and execution.
Let’s Grow Together
Whether you are leading a team, coaching athletes, mentoring young people, or striving for systemic change, this framework applies to you.
If you’re looking for a fireside chat that sparks real transformation, let’s connect.
Visit iamcjstewart.com to learn more about my journey and how we can work together.
photo credit: iSmooth