Root-to-Shoot Ratio
Organizations must balance visible growth (revenue, headcount, features) with invisible infrastructure (processes, relationships, knowledge systems).
Photosynthesis happens above ground. But plants allocate 30-60% of the energy they capture to growing and maintaining roots. In resource-limited environments (low water, low nutrients), this allocation can reach 70%.
The allocation isn't fixed. Plants adjust based on what's limiting. Flood a plant with nitrogen and phosphorus but restrict water - it allocates more to roots searching for water. Give abundant water but restrict nutrients - it allocates more to roots searching for nutrients.
In greenhouse experiments, researchers can force plants to over-invest in shoots by providing perfect irrigation and fertilization. The plants grow taller, faster. But the moment you remove the life support, they collapse. Their root systems are inadequate for independent survival.
Business Application of Root-to-Shoot Ratio
Organizations must balance visible growth (revenue, headcount, features) with invisible infrastructure (processes, relationships, knowledge systems). Companies that over-invest in 'shoots' relative to 'roots' collapse during their first crisis.