To Plant A walnut Tree: How to create a fruitful legacy by using your experience

To Plant a Walnut Tree is written as a story – describing Trevor’s personal journey of discovery regarding the issue of sharing wisdom, independent leadership and how to leave a ‘fruitful’ legacy. A legacy (something that he calls eldership) which is based on interest beyond the self….. taking the seed of a life that has been lived in a way that develops the whole of .. who one is .. and planting that wisdom somewhere else – in a person, in a family, in a team, in a community, in a nation, in the world.And that wisdom can be of use in so many ways: challenging duality and polarisation (and goodness don’t we need that at the moment?); offering independent judgement; seeing goodness in people with faith in what they might become; truly and deeply listening so that wisdom emerges; encouraging thinking that is wider and has a more long-term perspective; offering challenge and so on.Where organisations are concerned, Trevor fundamentally questions how progression is usually thought about within organisations and suggests bringing in a third tier that can be aspired to – giving us 1) management, 2) leadership and 3) eldership: eldership not being related to age but to leadership that is independent and provides and enables wisdom. With eldership being on the training and development agenda from an early stage to raise horizons and give aspirational challenge, highlighting the value of the journey towards eldership with all its components.Trevor then explores in detail what people will be doing, or have done, in order to progress to be able to work in this way, in the way of an elder, at whatever age. Although it is better to read about this in Trevor’s own words, not mine, this includes having the skills and ability to offer the necessary special qualities referred to above, as well as having led people or a venture. They will have learnt from difficult personal life experiences, gone on their own personal journey (inner, outward and upward which includes addressing their own patterns of thought and behaviour, ending those that aren’t wanted and forming those that are). And they will have developed a unique ‘inner compass’ based on their own values and principles.Trevor’s writing addresses the question of what lies beyond leadership and the challenge that ‘leadership has lost its heart’.How can we look beyond leadership so more of us leave a legacy? And what would our own walnut tree be? What might it have grown in to, maybe long after we have gone?

If you have ever wondered why you do what you do then this book might just help. For me it left the challenge of what I do in my life that doesn't seem reward. If my motive is to act and move in areas that do not offer me any tangible reward this brings great freedom to use my time with no other drive other than to help pass on what I have learned and experienced for the benefit of others.

This is a very well, written book making it easy to read about an crucial subject. I would recommend that everyone should read but especially for those who are in leadership. The more we engage with the concepts in this book the better understanding we will have of each other and how to make the world a better place.

Outstanding and very helpful for my current 'journey'

Good read generally , but left me disappointed following rave reviews

I read this book in six hours, enthralled enough not to put it down. It was incredible - I was beyond impressed not only with Trevor's writing style, but also (and more importantly) with the content and wisdom of the book. It was essentially everything I was looking for in terms of answers to the struggles of the wasted wisdom I see in those around me whose wisdom I so long to hear, and I am grateful that Trevor is unafraid to share his. I just purchased a copy for a friend, so I am definitely spreading the word and hopefully ensuring more walnut trees are planted.

This is a delightful book, and a joy to read. Written as an engaging journey of self-discovery, this book manages to be easy to read whilst engaging with the big question of "What lies beyond leadership?" The simple answer is Eldership - but what Trevor does is not only explore the nature of eldership, he transforms it into something that is accessible to any one who want to make the journey. I have been inspired by this book, and by Trevor's eloquence, vulnerability, and strength.Declaration of interest: Trevor is a friend and one time colleague at the School of Coaching.

This is without doubt the best and most powerful book I have read in a long time.Written as a compelling story and journey of discovery and packed with 'a-ha' moments. With every new chapter I was finding new material and questions that challenged me and opened my mind to bigger picture ideas.I TOTALLY recommend this book.