Why this matters now
With leadership transitions looming across the industry, assuming your top performers want to lead is a costly mistake. The organizations that will win are the ones replacing hope with honest conversations and execution-ready plans—now, not later.
Quick Win of the Month
From Assumptions to Action
Before you invest another minute developing someone for a leadership role, ask them directly if they actually want it.
Sounds obvious, but most ag leaders skip this step. They assume their best agronomist or grain merchandiser wants to move into management. They invest time and energy grooming them, only to find out later the person loves the technical work and has zero interest in managing people, dealing with HR issues, or sitting in budget meetings.
Have the conversation now: "I see you as a potential successor for [role]. Is that something you're interested in?" Then listen. Really listen. Their hesitations will tell you what needs to be addressed - or whether you need to be looking at someone else entirely.
Try this today: Five minutes of honest conversation can save you years of developing the wrong person.
Featured Article
Your Succession Planning Reality Check: A 5-Question Checklist
At the 2023 NGFA Country Elevator Conference, succession planning was the hot topic. I went back in 2025, and guess what? Still the hot topic. Same conversations, same concerns, same leaders still trying to figure it out. If you're ready to move from hope to action, here's your reality check -- five questions that will tell you whether you have a real succession plan or just a list of names on a napkin.
Bottom line: Your ag business is too important to leave succession to hope.
Webinar
The 5-Step Succession Planning Framework for Ag Leaders
Succession planning has been the hot topic at ag conferences for years - yet most leaders still have names on paper but no real plan to prepare them. The problem isn't awareness. It's execution. You need a systematic approach that prepares both your people AND your business for leadership transitions. Join us Wednesday, March 4th from 12-1p.m. CST for the must-have framework.
Heads up: Can’t attend? Register for the webinar and we will send you a recording the following day.
Resource Spotlight
Succession planning is one of the biggest challenges facing agricultural leaders - not because they don't know it matters, but because they need practical frameworks to actually prepare their successors. From in-depth blogs to quick-read executive summaries, these resources provide the tools and strategies to turn succession hoping into succession planning.
One question to leave you with:
If one of your key leaders left tomorrow, would you have a prepared successor, or just a name on paper?