In support of the Cheerful Child Foundation, this Saturday I found myself in the kitchen of a dear friend attempting to make a traditional Indian butter chicken from scratch, a first. Not the shortcut version, but the real thing—the kind that requires patience, layering of rich spices (special delivery from Lucknow, India), flavours, and precise timing. Each spice had to be added at the right moment, allowing the dish to develop its full depth over a long, slow simmer. Rushing the process would result in a flat, uninspiring dish, while giving it time and care would create something extraordinary.
As I stirred the fragrant sauce, I realised how much this cooking experience resembled the work we do at HeartWork.
Timing matters in transformation
Just as a rich curry needs its spices added at the perfect moment—cumin and cardamom at the start to infuse the oil, garam masala at the end to round out the flavours—so too does organisational change require careful timing.
In our work with finance and sustainability leaders, we often see a temptation to rush transformation, to seek quick solutions rather than allowing deep change to take root. But true leadership, like a well-cooked dish, needs patience. We must introduce the right insights at the right time—balancing urgency with the wisdom to let things develop naturally. Being in tune with the change mindset and capacity of the organisation.
The power of slow infusion
When working with individuals and organisations, our goal isn’t just to provide information; it’s to create an environment where real shifts can occur. Just as marinating the chicken overnight allows the flavors to penetrate deeply, engaging in inner work—reflection, dialogue, and conscious practice—ensures that change isn’t superficial but becomes part of who we are.
Trusting the process
There are moments in cooking (and in leadership) where the dish looks unimpressive, where it feels like progress is slow or even stalled. But those who trust the process know that the magic happens over time. We see this in our community, where finance leaders who commit to values-driven leadership eventually experience a tipping point—a moment where all the elements come together into something truly transformative.
Your recipe for impact
So, as you step into this week, I invite you to think about what needs more time, more patience, or perhaps the right seasoning at the right moment. Whether it’s a leadership challenge, a team in transition, or a strategic shift, trust that the best results come from an intentional, well-paced approach.
And if you’re inspired, maybe even try cooking something new—slowly, intentionally, with an eye for the process as much as the outcome.
If you would also wish to make a contribution to the Cheerful Child Foundation, you can do that here.
We can offer you support with both the inner and the outer work through the HeartWork Inner Knowing Journey, the Purpose Driven Impact Journey and deep experience with complex business transformations.
Please let us know what you think, we would love to hear from you via sendlove at heartwork dot earth.