How to Read “Under a large tree, small trees do not grow”
Taiboku no shita ni shoboku sodatazu
Meaning of “Under a large tree, small trees do not grow”
“Under a large tree, small trees do not grow” means that subordinates find it hard to develop under an excellent leader.
When there is a highly capable boss or mentor, that person is so excellent that they handle all tasks perfectly.
As a result, subordinates and students lose opportunities to think for themselves or take on challenges. Their chances for growth are taken away.
Like young trees blocked from sunlight by a large tree’s shadow, they cannot find chances to develop their talents.
This proverb is used in organizational management and talent development situations.
People say things like “That department’s manager is too excellent, creating a situation of ‘under a large tree, small trees do not grow.'”
It points out situations where a leader’s high ability has ironically become a problem.
In modern times, people understand that excellent leaders must consciously delegate work to subordinates.
They must even give them opportunities to fail. This proverb makes us think about what true leadership really means.
Origin and Etymology
No clear written records remain about the origin of this proverb.
However, it likely came from the phrase’s structure and Japanese nature observation.
A large tree is a giant tree that has grown over many years. Its branches and leaves spread wide, blocking sunlight from reaching the ground.
Small trees, meaning young or small trees, need sufficient sunlight to grow. But in places shaded by large trees, light cannot reach them.
They cannot grow as they should. This is a natural phenomenon you can actually observe in forests.
This proverb applies this natural principle to human relationships in society.
It especially expresses the ironic phenomenon where an excellent leader’s presence actually hinders the growth of those coming after.
This happens in mentor-student relationships and boss-subordinate relationships.
Japan has long had a culture of reading natural phenomena as lessons for human society.
We must admire the insight of our ancestors who grasped the essence of organizations and talent development from the familiar observation of plant growth.
The large tree is not bad, nor is the small tree weak. The proverb simply views it as an environmental issue.
This calm perspective is thought to be reflected in the proverb’s wisdom.
Usage Examples
- He is a capable boss, but in terms of developing subordinates, it has become “under a large tree, small trees do not grow”
- At the charismatic CEO’s company, the state of “under a large tree, small trees do not grow” continues, and they struggle with a shortage of successors
Universal Wisdom
The proverb “under a large tree, small trees do not grow” teaches us a universal truth.
Human growth requires moderate difficulties and opportunities for independence.
Everyone wishes to learn under an excellent mentor. But ironically, under a teacher who is too perfect, students cannot acquire true strength.
This is because human growth is nurtured through failure and trial and error.
In an environment where everything is given and everything is protected, people cannot develop the ability to think, judge, and take responsibility for themselves.
This phenomenon also applies to parent-child relationships. Under parents who love their children so much that they solve everything in advance, children lose the power to become independent.
Love and overprotection are separated by a thin line.
Our ancestors saw that excellence and strength do not necessarily bring good results.
They knew that sometimes showing weakness, sometimes stepping back, and sometimes allowing failure is true love and true leadership.
This proverb has been passed down for so long because everyone has experienced the difficulty and depth of raising people.
When AI Hears This
From an ecological perspective, this proverb has an interesting fact. It is actually “only half correct.”
True, under large trees it is dark and harsh for plants seeking light. But in nature, many plants actually exist that have specialized and succeeded in that environment.
For example, in tropical rainforests, only one to two percent of light reaches the forest floor.
Yet many plants grow there. These are called “shade-tolerant plants.”
They evolved special leaf structures that can photosynthesize with little light. In other words, they did not fight on the same playing field as large trees.
They found a different niche, a unique place for survival.
Even more noteworthy is a phenomenon called “resource partitioning.” Large trees absorb water with shallow roots near the surface.
But lower layer plants extend deep roots to use different water sources.
Even if they cannot win with the resource of light, they use a strategy of coexisting with different resources like water and soil nutrients.
Actual forest surveys report examples where more than 20 species of small plants live around one large tree.
Each divides the space at different heights and root depths.
Temporal division is also important. In early spring, before large trees spread their leaves, forest floor plants grow rapidly and bloom flowers.
Even in the same place, they coexist by changing the time periods they use.
Lessons for Today
This proverb gives us important lessons depending on our position in modern life.
If you are in a position to guide others, reflect on whether your excellence is hindering their growth.
True strength is not doing everything yourself. It is having the courage to trust and delegate to others.
The patience to tolerate failure and watch over others is true leadership.
On the other hand, if you are under an excellent boss or senior, recognize the danger of being passive.
A comfortable environment is the enemy of growth. Actively seek opportunities to challenge yourself.
Sometimes you may need to make the decision to leave the shadow of the large tree yourself.
And as a parent, teacher, or senior, if you have opportunities to guide someone, remember these words.
Doing everything for someone is not love. Sometimes pulling back your hand, letting them fall, and giving them the experience of standing up themselves is true kindness.
Growth needs sunlight. We want to be people who can deliver that sunlight.
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