Farm leaders are defined by how they handle years when grain prices are low and every bushel is needed just to break even. 2025 is one of those years.
Here are six things you can do to lead your family and employees through tough times:
1. Set the tone
Your employees and family need information, clarity and comfort. The leader’s tone sets the mood for the entire family and business. Choose to have a good attitude every day.
2. Be transparent
Clarify what you can control and focus on those areas. Tell people what you know and what you don’t know. One of the best ways to build and maintain high trust with others is to be open with information so they see your methodical, solution-oriented approach. Lack of information causes people to make assumptions, which tend to be negative.
3. Rely on your key people
Good leaders know the most reliable, sharpest, dedicated people in their organization. Be sure to include them in your planning and ask for honest feedback.
4. Provide emotional relief
We all need a break from the intensity of difficult times. Show your appreciation with simple recognitions, such as snacks and cool drinks on a hot day, or an impromptu break.
5. Take care of yourself
Proactively minimize your personal stress. Make a deliberate effort
to talk more often with your family and friends, do something extra with them, get plenty of sleep, exercise, and take time for recreation or active entertainment. Make it a point to smile once in a while.
6. Avoid poor behaviors
Eliminate inappropriate or counterproductive behaviors. People under stress tend to raise their voice more often, go at a faster pace, self-isolate, become lax in their personal hygiene, miss family events and activities, take physical risks or short cuts around normal safety procedures, and consume less-healthy foods. Ask those close to you if they see any of those behaviors and ask for their help to monitor you.