Leaders in Ag: Career and Business Advice from Jackie Applegate
After getting a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Wright State University, a master’s degree from Rockhurst College and a doctorate in organic chemistry from Iowa State University, Jacqueline (Jackie) Applegate began her career in 1992 as the only female chemist at a Bayer manufacturing facility in Kansas City, Mo. From wearing Levi’s and a hard hat to managing the C-suite, Applegate has spent 30 years working in a host of roles, including research, new product development, golf, lawn and landscape, vegetable seeds and pest management. Most recently, she has served as the president of Bayer Crop Science for North America.
Q: From a leadership standpoint, what have you learned in your position as president of Bayer Crop Sciences North America?
A: “In my career, I’ve always loved business and loved industry, but in my role the past three years, what I’ve come to understand is we’re an industry that is all about people. I’ve always said, if you make great connections with people, if you have great relationships, you’re going to get the most out of them. I’ve seen in this role as a senior leader in the industry that connectivity and relationships really make the difference.”
Q: What strategies or techniques do you prefer to help people pull together?
A: “One of the things I’ve learned is when dealing with people and businesses, everybody has their strategic perspective for their own shareholders. You have to ask, what do they need? Every company has a different strategy. So how do you approach them? You have to be willing to listen and learn from them while putting yourself in their shoes. Understand their needs and what they want to accomplish while also creating a win-win environment. How can you drive a fundamental, strategic view together that will create a winning perspective for all?”
Q: What’s the best advice you ever received?
A: “When I was very young in my career, a gentleman saw I was a little nervous about going into a meeting to present to the head of manufacturing for Bayer global. He said to me: ‘The one thing I want you to keep in mind, no matter where you are in that career, remember everyone gets up every day and has to put their pants on just like you. They have issues they have to manage, but they’re just people like you. Treat them like people, and be clear about what you do, what you own, and you’ll be fine.’ It’s worked my entire career.”
Q: What advice would you give to somebody just getting started in the industry about how to succeed?
A: “I always say it’s about being adaptable and being an effective communicator. Communication goes two ways, so that means developing your listening skills to understand where people are coming from, and it’s also about being a lifelong learner. Be inclusive. Inclusivity means listening to different perspectives. Invite people to the table because you’re always better if you’re taking in bigger perspectives. Then, be one heck of a networker. Build your network within your industry and outside of your industry because you can learn from everyone.”
Here are a couple other Leaders in Ag profiles:
Leaders in Ag: Rena Striegel Shares Her Thoughts on Leading With Intention
Leaders in Ag: U.S. Grains Council's Ryan LeGrand
