FOUNDATION MESSAGE
Building Connections Through THE Foundation’s Network BY DWIGHT FERGUSON, CALF PRESIDENT AND CEO Now months into my role as president and CEO, I still could not be happier to have joined the California Ag Leadership Foundation (CALF). My belief in the foundation’s mission and vision has strengthened; my appreciation for its history, culture and contributions to California agriculture has grown. When I joined the foundation, I noted how much I looked forward to working with all CALF stakeholders, especially the board, alumni and staff, to build on our rich tradition of success. Little did I know how much I’d come to appreciate this network. The support I have received from alumni, fellows, university faculty and industry friends, plus an outstanding group of former associates and foundation leaders, has been tremendous. The caring and committed CALF network is the best professional ag resource I have ever known; and now that I’ve become part of it, I believe I know why. As many, if not all of you are aware, Dr. Pat Lattore – lifelong scholar, educator, former CALF advisor, consultant and lecturer – is considered by many to be a giant in the field of leadership development. He is known and revered for his “Diamond Model of Leadership” and the fundamental idea that positive leadership is an art form and a process of teaching and serving. He also believes that emotional intelligence (especially self-awareness, empathy, initiative, collaboration and relating skills), coupled with personal competency, is an excellent predictor for career and life success. He argues that emotional intelligence provides an even greater advantage than intelligence or cognitive abilities alone.
The CALF network is a valuable resource and remaining connected to it, even through trying times, is more important now than ever. Despite all the challenges associated with agriculture in California, and the added complications we’ve experienced with the COVID-19 pandemic, the caring and committed CALF network remains active and engaged. The creativity, resilience and character of those in the network should provide us all with inspiration. It further reinforces a favorite quote of mine from Dr. Lattore, “leadership is a verb.” When we treat “leadership” as a verb, we truly live our mission, vision and values. By the time this issue of Horizons is published, we will have initiated a formal strategic planning process involving many stakeholders and constituents. Through this process, we will identify current and future opportunities and put plans in place to realize them. We will pinpoint priorities for achieving continued success and for finding more ways to impact California agriculture. Read more about the strategic plan on page 6. I know that together we will continue to build on Ag Leadership’s long history of excellence. I can’t wait to see what we create. Together, as CALF’s network, we will act on our desire to grow and build new opportunities to connect.
This belief in the importance of emotional intelligence is proven to me every day by the CALF network. What I have experienced during my time with the foundation is an outpouring of respect and a genuine desire to see Ag Leadership not only succeed, but thrive. This incredible group has embraced the challenges faced by leaders, while continuing to lend a hand at a moment’s notice.
3 WINTER 2021 HORIZONS MAGAZINE
