The tallest tree in the world
The tallest tree in the world is 380 feet tall. The tree is named Hyperion (a nod to the Greeks) and estimated to be 600-800 years old. The exact location of this coastal redwood is kept secret to avoid tourism and damage to the tree's ecosystem, but we know Hyperion exists somewhere in Redwood National Park along with 10 other giant redwoods, each over 360 feet tall.
One of the few verified photographs of Hyperion was taken by Michael Taylor, one of the discoverers in 2006:
Source: Michael Taylor
Zip-lining revelations
Rather than drive 310 miles to go searching for Hyperion, the girlfriend and I drove 68 miles and went zip-lining in Occidental. At ~$110 each for 2.5 hours of scream-inducing thrills, it was hands down one of the best adventure experiences we've ever had (book it for yourself).
The girlfriend (Kristen) on "The Big Kahuna"—the longest zipline at 1,500 feet.
As we zipped from tree to tree brimming with adrenaline, I started to appreciate the metaphorical insights that ziplining could offer in business and in life:
We take calculated risks: Statistically, zip-lining is safer than driving a car. However, flying across the treetops at 40mph while 250 feet high risks certain death. But we assessed the quality of our harness/trolley/gear and intelligence of our guides. We were able to distinguish probability from possibility.
We expect reward: with considerable risk comes expectation of reward. Our expectation of reward was generously surpassed given the overall experience and cost. The reward was the feeling we had and the memories we made. After all, not all rewards are financial.
Perspective: one can't appreciate the vastness of the forest from within the trees. Each tree is magnificent in its own right, but to have depth of vision you have to climb atop the canopy and find true north.
Don't forget about the roots
Considering coastal redwoods—or sequoia sempervirens—are the tallest trees in the world, one might expect them to have deep roots. Not so. Redwood roots seldom go deeper than 10 feet.
Pop quiz: So how does such a shallow root system support such massive trees of 300+ feet?
If you guessed "the roots extend outward up to 100 feet and bind with other root systems" you are 100% correct. This natural phenomenon got me asking some questions:
What is the business equivalent of "shallow yet strong"?
What if SaaS companies built their integrations like redwood roots?
Example: Optimizely's technology partners, and solutions partners
How could a company form channel partnerships that are shallow yet strong?
Example: Atlassian's value-added reseller model
Video of me pushing a redwood tree while 150 feet high. Shallow roots, flexible strength.
Take us home, Emerson
“In nature, every moment is new; the past is always swallowed and forgotten; the coming only is sacred. Nothing is secure but life, transition, the energizing spirit.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson