003. The four responsibilities of the farm leader

Modern Farm Business

Being a leader means many things – but there are a few core responsibilities that the leaders of successful businesses must tend to well. Join us on this episode to learn more about those responsibilities and the three different roles that exist in the farm business.

Three types of roles in business:

1. Specialist – Technical expertise; “Do the Do”
2. Manager – Processes, data, information
3. Leader – Ensures things get done

Four traits most sought in leaders (Kouzes & Posner):

1. Honest
2. Forward-looking
3. Inspirational
4. Competent

A manager must be emotionally mature and able to manage the organization’s anxiety as well as their own emotions and reactions.

Four key responsibilities of a leader:

1. Vision – Bringing to life what the future is going to look like
2. Culture – Following through and enforcing values
3. Capacity – Developing & fostering the talents, skills & relationships needed to move toward the vision
   1. Capabilities needed today for efficiency in the operation
   2. What do we need to develop in order to reach vision
   3. Develop successors to take over if needed
   4. Ensure execution of plans
4. Capital – Controlling proper allocation of time & money to increase competitiveness & move toward the farm's vision

Additional recommended reading:

Michael Gerber, The E-Myth Revisited, HarperCollins, https://emyth.com/

Kouzes & Posner, The Leadership Challenge, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., www.leadershipchallenge.com