Joel Solomon Leads Like A Gardener
“Being a leader is like being a gardener. I think I’m a pretty good gardener.” -- Joel Solomon, Co-Founding Partner at Renewal Funds, Founder of Hollyhock Retreat Center & Author of Clean Money Revolution
If Joel Solomon had to describe his job to you, he would tell you he is a gardener of sorts. Not only the type that carefully tends to flowers, however. He is the type of gardener who meticulously tends to people, seeking to bring out the best in them and empower them to become the best version of themselves.
Bringing out the best in people is key for Joel and his team at Hollyhock -- a non-profit, sustainable retreat center that seeks to create gathering spaces that open people to a sense of hope, possibility, and connection. Furthermore, Hollyhock seeks to renew relationships with the First Nations people of the Klahoose, Tla’amin, and Homalco Nations indigenous to Cortez Island, where the organization calls home.
Hollyhock offers close to 100 programs and conferences each year, which have grown to include leading teachers and conveners focused on leadership mentoring, group coaching, and creativity over the nearly 50 years since its founding. Presenters have been curated for their integrity and alignment with an educational purpose, spanning internationally accredited coaches, wise ones, and world-renowned writers, activists, and body-based healers.
To Joel, our work at Global Round Table Leadership has been key to helping him and teams access the power of their collective wisdom.
“Shared leadership is the power of multiple hearts and minds and experiences, being included as much as possible in decision-making,” says Joel.
His approach to leadership is both empowering and actively involved.
“I’m focused on setting the stage for emerging activists, engaged citizens, leaders in the helping professions, social entrepreneurs, and all who contribute to a better future for all. “Hollyhock helps move people from all walks of life, toward better clarity for themselves by asking good questions, and sharing extraordinary wise facilitators.”
“I see human potential in most everyone, across many cultures, classes, and professions, like a field of intelligence where there is room for many flowers to bloom.”
Joel is committed to helping others bloom through coaching and mentoring. While he served as Hollyhock’s Board Chair for 25 years, he championed active citizen engagement, prioritizing the environment, climate solutions, a more just economy, reparational actions, and local community empowerment. This through-line is reflected in every organization to which he contributes, including Renewal Funds, Tides Foundation, TONNIC, SVI, Vancity, and MakeWay.
“There are plenty of people who will tell you how to be a better business person. The essential work is all about our moral, ethical and spiritual side,” he asserts.
Along the way, we are proud of how our work has inspired Joel and how our Founder, Lori Hanau, has acted as one of his spiritual guides."
“I’m a practitioner of practitioners,” he admits.
Our extensive network offers Joel access to a team of eclectic wizards, including many who specialize in healthy and open communication. To Joel, there is infinite value in surrounding yourself with people who know more than you and can guide you through situations that you might not be able to navigate as well, alone. Coaching and mentoring are invaluable assets.
The relationship between Joel and us has been symbiotic. “Leadership practices for aspiring and accomplished leaders requires lifelong practice and commitment to the betterment of the whole.”
“It is my life’s work and desire to influence as many people to be better and do better,” says Joel. “I am committed to continual self-examination so that my impact and influence on everything around me, can serve a higher purpose for humanity and ecology.”
Learn more about Hollyhock. Check out Joel’s website and read about his book Clean Money Revolution. And if your team is ready to start their Shared Leadership Journey, we’d love to hear from you.