Rural Leaders’ Post

Agriculture isn't just about farming. It is about nourishing communities, driving economic growth, and stewarding our planet's resources sustainably. Harnessing the full potential of agriculture can address pressing continental challenges such as food security, climate change, and rural development. At CALA we understand that the transformation of agriculture in the continent requires visionary leaders who can mobilize real change and ensure delivery of country priorities. We work with leaders in Africa’s Food Systems and support them to continue spearheading agricultural transformation. By mobilizing local systems, we can unlock collective wisdom and pave the way for a more resilient and sustainable future. Calls for the next cohort will be live in April 2024. To stay in the know and learn more about CALA, visit https://cala.agra.org/ #CALA #foodsystems #sustainability #agriculturaltransformation #leadership #sustainabledevelopment #impact #AMI

My mentor once shared a powerful story about reciprocity that has stuck with me: “There was a farmer whose fields produced the best crops in his region. The neighbouring farmers were jealous, yet they couldn’t figure out what he did differently. They had the same soil, used the same seeds, and cared for their crops just as diligently. But his secret was simple: He gave away his best seeds to neighbouring farmers after every harvest. Sounds counterintuitive, right? But as bees cross-pollinated from farm to farm, they also spread pollen back to him. By sharing his best seeds, the farmer made sure his neighbours’ crops thrived, and in turn, his own harvests grew stronger year after year.” This story isn’t just about farming— It’s a profound leadership lesson: When you lift others up, everyone wins. We practice this at Brydan, but it resonated with me deeply more recently when I saw my team go above and beyond in preparing for our first WSQ-certified program run. I found out they stayed back late, took it upon themselves to address hiccups as a team. And not once did they complain. It was a beautiful reminder that when you care for your people, they will go the extra mile with you. Let’s continue nurturing that cycle of support and care in our teams. Because we can really achieve great things together. - Hi, I'm Melvin Chia, Coach, Master Facilitator and Founder of Brydan Group. Our team has facilitated leadership workshop for industry titans, such as Hilton Group, Lazada, Piaggo and many more. 📢 Join the second run of our WSQ-certified program to learn practical tools on how to 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗖 on 𝟮𝟭-𝟮𝟮 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 👉 https://lnkd.in/gqZEPvbs

Meet Grace Abela, Scholarship Recipient and Program Ambassador for Leadology’s LeadHER Women in Leadership Program. As part of Leadology’s vision of helping workplaces thrive with exceptional leadership, we are committed to supporting the development of all leaders including emerging talent and in doing so creating tomorrow’s leaders. We are particularly focussed on uplifting women in industries where they have traditionally been under-represented, and in our July Program Intake round our Scholarship theme was ‘Leading Women in Agriculture’. We proudly announced dual Scholarship Recipients, and we would love to introduce you to our second recipient Grace Abela. Grace is currently 5 weeks into her 14 week leadership development program and at our last check in told us ‘I have found being able to look inwards and see what traits and key attributes of leaders I think I may hold, and others that I need to work on incredibly valuable and interesting. It has also made me think on what I perceive a good leader to be’. A little more about Grace: 1.       I am an Agronomist with Gorst Rural Supplies based out of Lake Bolac and have been in this role for 18 months. My role includes working with farmers in our district to give them advice and recommendations on their cropping and pasture programmes. 2.       I have completed a Bachelor of Agriculture, majoring in plant and soil science at the University of Melbourne. 3.       I enjoy the diversity of the job (no two days are the same) as well as the connection you get to make with farmers/growers and their families. 4.       I feel lucky that I have come into the industry at a time where there is a large number of females in the industry and working at Gorst I have never felt as though my gender has gotten in the way of any opportunities. However, I don’t think it can be denied that females in the agricultural industry can sometimes be treated differently to men, however not always in a negative way. But there is sometimes a depiction that women may not be as interested in the things the males normally are (machinery, footy, tractors, ‘Bloke things’ etc) and sometimes can be excluded for this. 5.       I aspire to be a well-rounded agronomist that is trusted in the industry and community. I feel leadership development will help in this as I progress through my career to be able to be a leader in our agronomy team and help train/encourage young agronomists. We love having you in our Community Grace, and know that the agricultural sector is better for having you!

Meet Grace Abela, Scholarship Recipient and Program Ambassador for Leadology’s LeadHER Women in Leadership Program. As part of Leadology’s vision of helping workplaces thrive with exceptional leadership, we are committed to supporting the development of all leaders including emerging talent and in doing so creating tomorrow’s leaders. We are particularly focussed on uplifting women in industries where they have traditionally been under-represented, and in our July Program Intake round our Scholarship theme was ‘Leading Women in Agriculture’. We proudly announced dual Scholarship Recipients, and we would love to introduce you to our second recipient Grace Abela. Grace is currently 5 weeks into her 14 week leadership development program and at our last check in told us ‘I have found being able to look inwards and see what traits and key attributes of leaders I think I may hold, and others that I need to work on incredibly valuable and interesting. It has also made me think on what I perceive a good leader to be’. A little more about Grace: 1.       I am an Agronomist with Gorst Rural Supplies based out of Lake Bolac and have been in this role for 18 months. My role includes working with farmers in our district to give them advice and recommendations on their cropping and pasture programmes. 2.       I have completed a Bachelor of Agriculture, majoring in plant and soil science at the University of Melbourne. 3.       I enjoy the diversity of the job (no two days are the same) as well as the connection you get to make with farmers/growers and their families. 4.       I feel lucky that I have come into the industry at a time where there is a large number of females in the industry and working at Gorst I have never felt as though my gender has gotten in the way of any opportunities. However, I don’t think it can be denied that females in the agricultural industry can sometimes be treated differently to men, however not always in a negative way. But there is sometimes a depiction that women may not be as interested in the things the males normally are (machinery, footy, tractors, ‘Bloke things’ etc) and sometimes can be excluded for this. 5.       I aspire to be a well-rounded agronomist that is trusted in the industry and community. I feel leadership development will help in this as I progress through my career to be able to be a leader in our agronomy team and help train/encourage young agronomists. We love having you in our Community Grace, and know that the agricultural sector is better for having you!

Think like a farmer... 💭 The best leadership advice keeps things simple, and "Think like a farmer" really delivers on that front. Leadership, like farming, is all about nurturing the right conditions. And with the right amount of care and foresight... and a little bit of heart... you're likely to enjoy a bountiful harvest. 👨🌾 So, let's start planting the seeds of success today... 🪴 🤐 Don’t shout at the crops ·      Listen to your team’s needs. ·      Understand their challenges. ·      Guide without pressure. ⏳ Don’t blame the crops for not growing fast enough ·      Acknowledge effort, not just speed. ·      Foster growth & support. ·      Celebrate every milestone. 🛑 Don’t uproot crops before they've had a chance to grow ·      Potential needs time to blossom. ·      Be patient with progress. ·      Provide time to excel. 🌱 Choose the best plants for the soil ·      Place people where they can thrive. ·      Align skills with roles. ·      Embrace team diversity. 🚿 Irrigate and fertilize ·      Nourish their development. ·      Offer tools and training. ·      Praise generously. 🚫 Remove weeds ·      Cultivate a healthy work environment. ·      Address negativity. ·      Promote a thriving culture. 🛡️ Remember you will have good seasons and bad seasons - you can’t control the weather, only be prepared for it. ·      Anticipate change. ·      Build resilience. ·      Prepare the team for challenges. You see, as complex as leadership may seem, it's really about a handful of simple practices. Nurture your team. Invest in their growth. And the results will speak for themselves. 🌾 #TeamSupport #ListenAndLead#EmpatheticLeadership #GuidedGrowth #TeamEmpowerment

Application Deadline: July 2, 2024 Applications are now open for the 2024 Centre for African Leaders in Agriculture’s (CALA) Advanced Leadership Programme. The Centre for African Leaders in Agriculture’s (CALA) Advanced Leadership Programme is a collaborative, hands-on, and tailored experience for senior and rising leaders in Africa’s agriculture sector. Designed for individuals spearheading and directly implementing specific country-level agriculture initiatives, the programme is initially open to participants from eight countries. Eligibility: Leaders implementing country-level agriculture efforts: Established or emerging leaders working in government, private firms and associations, or civil society organizations who are responsible for driving agriculture flagships and priority programs. Must be actively employed or working in government (public sector), private sector and civil society (associations or civil society organizations) Cohorts will be formed from participants from the following countries: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda. Special consideration will be given to: Women leaders Youth leaders Individuals working to advance agro-ecological practices. https://lnkd.in/g4pzVSX

In this article Kincannon & Reed Global Executive Search explores the multifaceted dimensions of a new style of leadership that will drive the food and agriculture industries forward, ensuring resilience, adaptability, and ethical stewardship in the face of a future that demands nothing less than transformative change. #SystemsThinking, #DigitalAcumen, and #EmotionalIntelligence are highlighted as the three competencies that will set apart tomorrow's leaders. Will add #agility too, a competency needed to a fast, and unpredictable moving world!!! #leadership #skills https://lnkd.in/dH-BSNVY

🌱 **Leadership Lessons from the Farm** 🌾 As a farmer, every day is a lesson in leadership. Here’s what the fields have taught me: 1. Patience Pays Off: Crops don’t grow overnight. Similarly, nurturing a team takes time. Trust the process and be patient. 2. Resilience is Key:Weather is unpredictable, but so are business challenges. Adaptability and resilience are essential for both farmers and leaders. 3. Teamwork Matters:Just as it takes a community to harvest, it takes a collaborative effort to achieve business goals. Value your team. 4. Sustainable Practices: Long-term success comes from sustainable practices. Invest in your people and resources wisely for lasting growth. 5. Continuous Learning: Agriculture evolves, and so should you. Stay curious and keep learning to stay ahead. Leading a team is a lot like tending to crops: with dedication, care, and the right conditions, success will bloom. #Leadership #Farming #Teamwork #GrowthMindset #Resilience #ContinuousImprovement

Our newest article delves into the critical competencies required for future leaders in a time of rapid change. From mastering systems thinking to honing emotional intelligence, these skills will define the path forward for leadership. #ExecutiveSearch #LeadershipSkills #FutureLeadership

Great leaders, like farmers, create the right conditions for growth. The importance of nurturing, patience, and long-term sustainability in leadership is crucial. Read more on cultivating a flourishing work environment: https://lnkd.in/dhqzKcgZ #Management #GrowthMindset My Sunday column,21/7/2024