Reading Time: 4 minutes “Leaders are expected to remain composed, to offer reassurance and to be a safe harbour for their teams… it can be draining,” says Jennifer MacTavish, a Guelph, Ont., executive coach and mediator. This can lead to burnout, especially during times of uncertainty. MacTavish, who spent 20 years in leadership roles with agricultural industry associations, has […] Read more
Leaders need support, too
Summer Series: Today’s ag leaders shoulder a heavy mental and emotional load. Despite their stoic leadership skills team members must remember that sometimes their leader needs support, too
How women lead with confidence in agriculture
Summer Series: While women working in agriculture is certainly not as rare as it used to be, gender biases haven’t kept pace with the change. But with the help of peers and industry learning opportunities women are confidently stepping into leadership roles
Reading Time: 6 minutes Gender bias is complicated. It can be intentional, but it can also be subconscious or structural, such as when it’s embedded in organizational policies or societal norms. And it often goes unseen by those who don’t experience it themselves. Although the number of women working in leadership positions in agriculture is increasing, women are still […] Read more
Adding emotional intelligence to your farm toolbox
Strengthening your emotional intelligence can pay big dividends, personally and professionally
Reading Time: 5 minutes Imagine there was a relatively simple way you could amp up your leadership skills, reduce your stress, help you more easily resolve conflict and provide insight into what other people are thinking and feeling. Emotional intelligence, first identified by researchers John Mayer and Peter Salovey in 1990, was originally presented as the ability to understand […] Read more
Closing the on-farm generation gap
Generations have always squabbled about issues and viewpoints, but the generational communication gap can be filled with curiosity and empathy
Reading Time: 4 minutes The clash between generations over outlooks, opinions, values and beliefs dates to ancient times. In fact, this disparity of perspective has a name: the generation gap. Each generation is shaped by the predominant forces at play during their formative years. Acknowledging these influences can improve communication among the generations, says River Falls, Wisconsin leadership development […] Read more
What to do when worry takes over
Getting control over your worries can be far easier said than done — but you can get a good start if you practice these tips
Reading Time: 4 minutes “I don’t tell my story because it’s unique. I tell it because it isn’t,” says former Manitoba hog farmer Gerry Friesen. A little over 20 years ago Friesen’s farm was in financial crisis after years of market volatility, tariffs and low prices. “At the time, my mind was working overtime, replaying worst case scenarios, questioning […] Read more
Understand motivation to stay energized
Contrary to belief, motivation is not about discipline or willpower. It’s more complex, but there’s a lot you can do to boost yours
Reading Time: 6 minutes Let’s be honest. We’ve all had sluggish or frustrating days where we wonder why the heck we’re doing what we do. It can be challenging to find the motivation to get out of bed, do a chore, start a project. Motivation can be complex. What gets you excited about work today might not be the […] Read more
Finding your passion project
What to do with your time off? There are plenty of options that have nothing to do with the farm
Reading Time: 6 minutes Farming is more than a career, it’s an identity. Which, up to a point, is a good thing. But the evidence is in, and it says that if the farm takes too much of your time and too much of your energy, that’s not good for your mental health, or for the health of your […] Read more
Why trust matters on the farm
Trust is at the heart of our personal and professional relationships. When this important foundation is cracked, what can you do to repair it?
Reading Time: 4 minutes Trust is at the foundation of every business and personal interaction. We can’t see it or touch it, but we sure know when it’s missing. It’s a red flag. While trust can feel like an intangible, Halifax business consultant Natalie Doyle Oldfield says that its impact can be measured and there are clear benefits of […] Read more
Onboarding summer staff for agricultural businesses
A strategic approach to seasonal part-timers might be your ticket to growth
Reading Time: 4 minutes Given the seasonal nature of farming, summer students fill an important labour gap on many farms, especially those that operate in direct-to-consumer markets. With the continuing tight labour market, managing the hiring and training of seasonal employees (often students) well is critical to success. Unfortunately, too often the busy-ness of day-to-day farming during peak times […] Read more
Wellness ROI
In a tight labour market, could wellness programs help recruit and retain employees?
Reading Time: 5 minutes Investing in employee well-being pays off. Beverley Beuermann-King, a mental health and resiliency expert in Little Britain, Ont., says the research proves it. Return on investment (ROI) data for corporate wellness programs shows that investing in employee well-being results in improved employee engagement, increased productivity, reduced absenteeism and fewer injuries. “If employees are healthy then […] Read more
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
