HLP Voices Series#6 - From Firefighter to Gardener: Cultivating a Thriving Ecosystem in the Workplace

We are proud to welcome Lu Ying as our guest for our HLP Voices series.

Lu Ying is a seasoned leader with over 25 years of experience leading cross-cultural teams across diverse industries, including audit, finance, compliance, risk management, procurement, and organizational transformation.

Over the past decade, she has dedicated herself to mentoring professionals and coaching leaders at all levels, driving talent development and high-performance outcomes across functions. Known as a visionary change agent, Lu Ying thrives on co-creating strategic goals with stakeholders and leading enterprise-wide transformations that deliver lasting impact.

Certified as a “Leader as Coach” facilitator and leadership framework trainer in the APAC region, she is deeply committed to empowering teams, fostering trust, and building inclusive environments where collaboration and innovation flourish.

From Firefighter to Gardener: Cultivating a Thriving Ecosystem in the Workplace

✍️ By Lu Ying - DSO Coach at Bayer

Introduction

In the intricate dance of a thriving workplace, connection is the music that guides us. My journey from exhaustion to empowerment has been a profound exploration of this belief. Five years ago, I found myself entrenched in the role of a “firefighter,” battling daily crises as a transformation leader in the APAC region. My days were filled with chaos, and I was constantly extinguishing metaphorical fires. However, two years later, I embraced a new identity: that of a “gardener.” I learned to cultivate an ecosystem in the workplace where collaboration, trust, and innovation could flourish. Join me as I share the transformative journey that not only reshaped my career but also holds the key to sustainable business growth.

The Firefighter Era: Burnout and a Wake-Up Call

Imagine: a workday that begins at 6 AM, cascading into a whirlwind of back-to-back meetings spanning time zones—from Australia to Germany to the U.S.—culminating in a grueling end at 11 PM. This was my reality for over a month as I led a massive transformation during the pandemic, navigating urgent requests while grappling with a fragmented virtual team. I was like a captain of a fire brigade, tirelessly extinguishing flames in the dark.

But one night, after a relentless 11-hour work, my body cried out, “Stop, or you’ll break.” It was a stark reminder of my early career days in consulting, but this time, I listened. In a moment of clarity, I convened a co-creation session with colleagues, and we birthed the idea of a “Health Club” to prioritize well-being, aligning with our company’s vision: “Health for All.”

From Firefighter to Gardener: Evolving to a New Role

Starting from that Wake-up call, I consciously traded the firefighting mentality for that of a gardener. Imagine a sunlit field, vibrant with life, where I could nurture seedlings—representing teams, processes, and trust.

So, what exactly happened during these two years?

Previously, 16 countries and their respective teams worked closely together to meet local business needs. Now, we rely on remote collaboration among hub/spoke/node colleagues, outsourced third-party, and shared services teams. This shift requires seamless integration across different countries, cultures, languages, and markets—an intricate challenge.

Through exploration over the past two years, I’ve discovered a path that allows us to face the increasing frequency of business transformations with confidence: building a ecosystem in the workplace. Once this ecosystem begins to operate autonomously, it continuously supports business growth and transformation.

Like a flourishing natural ecosystem, our teams—both within and outside our organization—learned to rely on one another, fostering a spirit of mutual support and innovation.

What is the Beauty of the Ecosystem?

What exactly is the beauty of the ecosystem? Imagine a beautiful scene in nature - each element—the sun, grass, trees, mountains, and lakes—exists independently yet is interconnected, nourishing one another.

In our work environment, our ecosystem mirrors this interconnectedness. Different colleagues, business partners, outsourced third party, and shared services collaborate to tackle challenges together.

Building and exploring the Ecosystem: From Connection to Co-Creation

During a workshop we held in April 2021 in Dalian, we began with a series of ice-breaking activities to foster deep connections among participants. Initially, there was some hesitation, but as we engaged in games designed to promote interaction, barriers fell away.

We shared personal stories, discussed dreams, and explored challenges, creating an atmosphere that felt alive and vibrant. By the end of the first day, we had established a strong sense of camaraderie and trust.

On the second day, we witnessed the fruits of our efforts. The three parties actively discussed and co-created specific actions focused on three main business needs, resulting in five improvement areas and eleven quick action plans. For instance, we identified the need to enhance communication among the three parties.

Previously, team members often found themselves unaware of each other's progress, leading to frustration. Together, we developed solutions: monthly meetings, Teams updates on key projects, and early communication about procurement strategies.

Sustaining the Beauty of the Ecosystem

Now, how can we ensure that our ecosystem continues to thrive? I want to leave this question open for your reflection. Throughout these two years, we’ve initiated various projects and activities, including APAC Culture Talks, the APAC Online Carnival, Leader as coach workshops, and health clubs, etc. These initiatives have not only strengthened team cohesion but also unlocked the potential within each individual.

The journey had not been always easy though. From time to time, two competing voices popped up: one urging me to foster connections among people, and the other insisting I report back to headquarters to refine our processes. Ultimately, I chose to listen to my heart and began facilitating deeper connections.

During our monthly collaboration meetings, I introduced a segment called “See You, See Me,” where team members could share their life stories in small groups. This initiative fostered understanding and empathy among colleagues.

Conclusion

To summarize the three key elements of the beauty of the ecosystem in workplace: self-connection, self-driven action, and self-actualization. The growth of individuals drives the development of the ecosystem, while the ecosystem, in turn, provides ongoing energy and support for each individual’s growth.

Let’s continue to cultivate this beautiful ecosystem together, creating a brighter future for all!