La Raccolta delle Olive

Olive oil symbolizes eternal prosperity, and harvesting olives is special and unique. It begins with a powerful realization: you’re not in control. Nature dictates the timing, quality, and yield of the harvest. You might wait for the perfect moment, that ideal ripeness for flavor and texture, but reality often has other plans. Dry days are crucial for picking, while a single autumn storm can destroy the harvest in hours. In the end, you have to make your move when the moment feels right - your lucky pick, as they say.

Harvesting olives also teaches invaluable lessons for business. Every team starts with a shared goal, one that unites them and drives their efforts. This common vision becomes even more important when things go awry, or conflicts arise. In olive picking, the goal is simple, clear, and inspiring—there’s an undeniable sense of urgency. In business, we must ask ourselves: Are our goals equally inspiring and relevant? Do they motivate people to go beyond just doing their job and pull them to go the extra mile?

Much like in sports, successful teams function with defined roles and individual accountability. Every player owns a piece of the victory. Quick hands on the nets mean faster, more efficient picking, which in turn boosts the harvest. Coordination between teammates is essential. Naturally, opinions will differ, and there’s always a learning curve. That’s where leadership comes in. The captain plays alongside the team, respected for their experience. They show how collaboration improves results and listen to feedback on how to refine the approach. It’s a different kind of leadership—not about giving orders, but about guiding the team toward success. When everyone feels ownership, formal hierarchies fade into the background, and collective success becomes the true focus.

Of course, feedback is crucial—but it must be timely. The most meaningful feedback happens in the moment, when mistakes occur. This allows the team to immediately learn, adjust, and improve. In business, are we giving feedback when it matters most? Is it constructive, aimed at strengthening the team rather than simply pointing out flaws?

Equipping your team with the right tools is equally important. Invest in the right tools and involve the team in the process. When they have a stake in the decision, they take ownership of their work.

And don’t underestimate the power of shared moments. Breaks and lunches are more than just pauses in the workday—they’re opportunities to rest, reflect, and celebrate together. Honest feedback flows more easily in these moments, helping to create a culture of respect and trust. True trust allows us to accept feedback as a tool for improvement, rather than as criticism to be resisted.

Sharing is at the heart of success. Simply paying your team isn’t enough - sharing the fruits of the harvest creates real ownership. When people feel invested in the outcome, they take pride in showing it to others. Celebration is a part of this sharing, a recognition of everyone’s contributions to success.

We haven’t even talked about choosing the right people. When you build the right culture, the right people will naturally gravitate toward you. Pride and passion have a magnetic pull that far outweighs the effort of pushing people to perform.

Ultimately, the journey from harvesting olives to pressing them into oil is a process rooted in teamwork, clear goals, ownership, feedback, trust, and celebration. Just as olives yield beautiful oil, your team can be the oil that powers your business, enriching their own lives as well as the company’s success.

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