4 Tips to Grow as a Leader
Sometimes stepping into leadership hardly feels like a choice, especially when you hear the age-old phrase: Someone should do something. It really hits home when you look around and realize that someone is you.
If your journey into a leadership role is imminent, one of the most important ways to get started is through cultivating influence, but building influence isn’t an egotistical thing. It’s about getting the attention of those who need to hear from you to trust your message.
Two ways to build influence are through using effective communication and building a network.
First, influential communication is about meeting people where they are and communicating with them in a way they understand and accept. For example, let’s say you need to step into leadership in your own farm operation with employees or family members. Does the process of communication currently work in your operation? If not, consider building your own communication norms.
Everyone’s different today. Some like to text, some like to pick up the phone, some like group apps, and some don’t. One of the easiest fixes is to get a norm that everyone’s bought into and agrees to use. Try to practice active listening to better understand the needs and concerns of your team.
Next, surround yourself with a support network of mentors, peers and friends who are able to provide guidance, encouragement and a safe space to share your fears and doubts.
Here’s a recap of some tried and tested ways to grow as a leader that you might want to consider going into the new year:
Join a Board of Directors
Get involved in your local community, whether it’s ag-based or not, by volunteering to serve on a board of directors or get yourself elected to the board of a corn or soybean association, town council or rural electric cooperative. You’ll learn new skills and be involved in high-level decisions that provide new insights into your business.
Build a Peer Advisory Board
If you can’t join one, build one. By assembling an advisory board for your own
business with people who have an outside perspective on your operation (not family or staff), you’ll create deeper relationships with professionals and mentors you trust. It’s a great way to bounce new ideas around with those not too close to the business.
Join a Peer-Group Network
A peer-group network managed by a third-party facilitator is a fantastic way to deepen your relationships with like-minded, growth-oriented producers. Share stories, benchmark your financials, and be ready to get valuable feedback.
Attend Workshops
Get out and go! If you don’t have at least one or two professional conferences or workshops on your calendar each year, you should start researching a few. Content, learning and engaging with others is necessary to keep approaches fresh. Hint: Top Producer Summit is coming up!
Stepping into leadership is a journey that requires courage and self-awareness. While the fear of leadership is natural, don’t let it be a barrier to personal and professional growth.
Remember, leadership is not about being fearless but about finding the strength to lead despite your fears.
2024 Top Producer Summit
Feb. 5 to 7
Kansas City
