Leading the Way
How leadership works on the ranch.
contributed article by B. Lynn Gordon Leader Consulting
leaderconsulting.biz
A TESTAMENT TO STOCKMEN
April 2019
As April finally arrives many stockmen have endured a long, difficult winter. Mother Nature has thrown about everything she could our way. A long snap of extremely cold temperatures, record-snowfall over a wide portion of the country, and a continuous pattern of Spring snowstorms, and record rainfall on top of the frozen ground, during one of the most important and busiest times of the year: calving.
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As I hear the stories of what cattle producers have fought through to ensure their livelihood, it reaffirms to me the tenacity and dedication of people in this business. Facebook posts of calf after calf being warmed in the front of a pickup truck, on the kitchen floor, in the bathtub or even in front of the fireplace shows the tireless efforts and pride stockmen have. The pride in what you do, the pride to produce a safe, quality beef supply for consumers, who have no possible way to grasp the hours you have put in, the exhaustion, stress, and worry you have experienced, is a testament to the excellence of individuals in agri-
culture and the cattle business.
INDUSTRY DEVOTION Another testament to the value of individuals in agriculture and the cattle business is what I witness annually when I have the opportunity to attend and participate in beef industry meetings, and the past year was no different. From October through February, I traveled to several state and national beef industry conferences. I always enjoy attending these cattlemen’s and breed association conventions, meeting new people, learning and discussing the current trends and issues in the industry, and witnessing the power of teamwork. Amidst very cold temperatures and stormy weather, I was invited to be one of the keynote speakers at the Wyoming Stockgrowers Convention, last December in Casper, Wyo. I was asked to visit with their membership and share the results of a study I conducted on “What Brings People to Leadership Roles: A Study of Beef Industry Leaders.”
What I’m most proud to report from my research, is individuals’ willingness to serve. Our industry organizations exist because of the hard-working cattlemen and cattlewomen, who already have more than enough on their plates, running their cattle operations, not to mention family responsibilities yet they are willing to take time to serve their industry. Knowing the dedication and commitment these individuals have demonstrated plugging their way through the winter of 2019, one can certainly be comforted in knowing the same level of devotion to their industry comes through as they step forward to serve on committees and boards for the state, regional, or national associations. Just as making sure that calf is warm and well-taken care of during the latest blizzard, the individuals who have stepped forward to serve our industry feel a responsibility to serve because of the importance of protecting their livelihood and that of future generations. Taking the time to serve your industry comes with added responsibility, time away from
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