Johnny Appleseed is among history’s most beloved folk heroes—and arguably its most eccentric. By choice, he walked barefoot, clothed himself in a burlap sack, donned a tin pot for a hat, and, of course, planted apple trees across the American frontier.
A lot of people are surprised to learn that Johnny Appleseed was in fact a real person. John Chapman earned the nickname “Johnny Appleseed” because of his penchant for carrying a leather bag filled with apple seeds.
Like many folk heroes, much of Chapman’s life has been fictionalized through film and literature. The notion of him randomly spreading his seeds wherever he went falls into this category. The truth is a bit more pragmatic.
Apples were an important part of frontier life. They were a source of food for families and livestock. But even more so, they were the source of the frontier’s beverage-of-choice—hard cider.
Additionally, homestead agreements required landowners to, among other things, plant 50 apples trees on their property in order to secure permanent land rights.
Chapman was a savvy opportunist, adept at predicting the direction of the frontier movement. He would advance ahead of the settlers and plant apple orchards. He would then sell these trees to settlers when they arrived.
To be successful in this endeavor, Chapman had to be strategic in where he chose to plant his orchards, ergo, there was nothing random about his seed spreading.
Spread probably isn’t word most of us associate with the art of being a good teammate. But it should be because that’s what good teammates do best. They spread (e.g., energy, enthusiasm, hope, kindness, goodwill, etc.).
In my book The WE Gear, I refer to this quality as being viral.
When it comes to virality, good teammates should follow Johnny Appleseed’s example and be strategic in when, where and how they spread. Some situations are best served by exuberance, others by temperance.
Before you go guns blazing, consider the timing, location, and delivery of your actions.
This coming Monday (September 26th) is Johnny Appleseed Day. Use this occasion to strategically spread a little extra energy, enthusiasm, hope, and kindness on your team. Doing so will undoubtedly cause you to become as beloved as the holiday’s namesake.
As always…Good teammates care. Good teammates share. Good teammates listen. Go be a good teammate.
