Adaptive inclination

One of my favourite tree/forest types is the Korean Red Pine, which I've recently been able to enjoy during a return to South Korea to visit family and celebrate Solnal (the Korean New Year). The Red Pines photographed above are from the gardens at the beautiful Changdeokgung Palace, my favourite of the big royal palaces in Seoul - not least because the buildings of Changdeokgung blend harmoniously with the natural topography of the site instead of imposing themselves upon it (as many of the others tend to do).

This species of pine is highly valued not only for its aesthetic appeal in landscapes and gardens but also for its distinctive growth habits. The trunks often develop into unique configurations (some would describe as twisted, contorted, or leaning; I prefer to think of them as dynamic, sculpted and great examples of natural variation and adaptive architecture). These shapes are a result of the tree's genetics and adaptability to gravity, various environmental conditions, including wind, soil type, and availability of sunlight. They can also be the result of the tree's inherent resilience in response to mechanical or environmental damage and stress.

Korean Red Pines are a consistent reminder to me of the importance of adaptive configuration in leadership resilience and growth, and the potential elegance in variation and the non-usual.

Leadership can often benefit from lateral, diagonal, curved and even convoluted - not just predictably vertical - inclination.

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