“OMG! This is soooo brave of you!”
These words echoed through the air as I wondered what exactly had inspired this proclamation. The event was in full swing, with attendees mingling, laughing and enjoying refreshments. But bravery? Risk? I scanned the surroundings, failing to spot any imminent danger.
“I cannot believe you’re tackling such a big subject,” my colleague went on.
At first, I was confused, but as the chat continued, it became apparent that this industry professional viewed efforts to pursue the ‘climate conversation’ within agriculture as courageous — literally a risky endeavor. The thought of danger had certainly not occurred to me. We weren’t embarking on life-threatening stunts. We weren’t even buying gas station sushi!
The topic of conversation was the idea of advocating for opportunities and awareness within the agriculture sector related to climate solutions.
Later, as the conversation lingered in my mind, I began to reflect on the idea of stepping into leadership, and it occurred to me that it really does take mettle sometimes to put yourself out there. Advocating for something you care about has risks and thoughts of those risks sometimes encourage us to remain on the sidelines of an important topic.
So, if you want to grow your leadership impact, how do you start? In the next two issues, I’ll break down the idea of stepping into leadership with a few tips.
1. Redefine Bravery
Bravery isn’t reserved for daredevil feats. Stepping into leadership, especially in areas that require change, innovation and collaboration, is an act of courage in its own right.
2. Embrace Uncharted Territory
Leading means venturing into the unknown. Whether it’s exploring new ideas or challenging the status quo, embracing uncertainty is part of driving change.
3. Acknowledge Professional Risks
Every leadership journey carries risks. Misunderstandings, being deemed too far ahead of your time, or facing resistance are all part of the game.
4. Confront Misconceptions
Others’ perceptions of risk might not align with reality. We know industries like agriculture can be misunderstood by people who lack awareness of food systems and rural areas. Address misconceptions and communicate your mission clearly.
Fear often accompanies leadership, especially when the path involves uncharted territory, but sometimes when we care about a topic like defending modern agriculture or our right to farm and ranch, we often don’t even realize putting ourselves out there looks bold to others.
The risks might be real, but the greater risk lies in not engaging at all.
