The importance of getting your team in sync

The importance of getting your team in sync

I hope this message finds you well.

I wanted to share a recent experience where we took the time to align our Farm Owners Academy team with the company’s direction.

Here are some key highlights:

Our CEO, Sam Johnsson, organised a 2-day planning session for a portion of our leadership team in the Barossa Valley in South Australia.

We reviewed our 3-year goals and mapped out a 12-month plan, working backwards to identify our focus for the next 90 days.

The session was well-structured and facilitated by Sam, with pre-work completed by each participant.

We had ample opportunity to discuss ways to improve the business and reconnect with our mission of helping farmer owners.

By the end of the two days, we all walked away with:

  • Clarity on responsibilities and timelines, allowing us to reset with exciting new goals.
  • Increased confidence, excitement, and motivation for our shared vision.
  • The energy and momentum created during this time away were a game changer for all of us.

The investment of time and money yielded a solid 10x return, far surpassing the costs.

I strongly encourage you to consider investing lavishly in getting your team in sync. It is truly the best investment you can make, with transformative effects on performance and overall success.

Robbo

P.S. One of the best things you can do to help your team get in sync, is to get clarity on your organisation structure and define the roles of each team member.  You can download a free copy of how to do this and examples here – https://site.farmownersacademy.com/smart-farm

8 traits of a high performer

8 traits of a high performer

If you want to hire someone, the ultimate goal should be to hire the right person. Slowing down the hiring process to find the ideal candidate is perfectly acceptable.

One good employee beats three average (this is why it’s okay to pay one good one a little more).

Here are eight traits to consider when hiring (thanks to Matt Gray for his contribution to these):

Grit: Grit is an indispensable quality. It encompasses the ability to persist through obstacles, bounce back from failure, and exhibit tenacity in the face of challenges. While hard work is common, true grit is a rare and valuable trait.

Resourcefulness: Look for individuals who possess relentless resourcefulness. These individuals excel at finding solutions, no matter how daunting or impossible a problem may seem. They are innovative problem solvers who believe there is always a way forward. Think of them as water, always finding a path around any obstacle.

Optimism: Farming can be a roller coaster ride, and having optimistic people on your team can provide a significant mental boost. Optimistic individuals do not see roadblocks; instead, they view them as stepping stones to success. Their electrifying and infectious energy is a must-have when the going gets tough.

Constant Learning: In a fast-paced world, continuous learning and adaptation are essential. Seek out candidates who actively seek feedback, strive to expand their skills, and maintain curiosity and hunger for knowledge. By investing in their development, you can expect a great return on your investment.

Fun: Although it may sound straightforward, it is vital to hire individuals who are not difficult people. It doesn’t matter how intelligent, hardworking, or optimistic someone is-if they lack empathy, struggle with collaboration, or fail to treat others with respect, they are not a good fit for the team.

Positive Presence: It is important to have people around whom you genuinely enjoy spending time with. Work can be intense, and having team members who bring positive energy, a sense of humour, and a lightness to work can make a world of difference. When work feels like play, the team becomes unstoppable.

Growth Mindset: A growth mindset is a foundational trait to look for in potential hires. Seek individuals who embrace challenges as opportunities for growth and believe that abilities and intelligence can be developed. People with a growth mindset focus on the process rather than being fixated solely on the outcome.

Sense of Responsibility: It is crucial for team members to take ownership of their work and care about doing a good job. Look for individuals who enjoy responsibility and do not require constant supervision. When everyone on the team takes initiative, performance improves, and you will have more breathing room and peace of mind.

By carefully considering these eight traits when making hiring decisions, you can increase the likelihood of finding the right person who will contribute to your team’s success.

Robbo

P.S. We have created a free handbook you can use to help you form your dream team. Download here

Do You Ever Get Triggered?

Do You Ever Get Triggered?

Do You Ever Get Triggered? 

I’m willing to bet that, like me, you experience triggers because you’re human. 

Triggers occur when someone or something causes us to react negatively. For years, I avoided triggers and often blamed others or the situation for my negative reactions. However, I’ve come to realise that being triggered can actually be a positive thing because it presents an opportunity for self-reflection. 

During a coaching call with Tracy Secombe, a Farm Owners Academy Coach & Director of Well-being, she helped me understand this concept. 

I shared with her a situation that had deeply triggered me, involving someone with a dominant personality, leaving me feeling intimidated and afraid to speak up for myself – let’s call them ‘Billy’. At the beginning of our conversation, I vented my frustration and placed all the blame on the other person. 

Tracy posed a simple yet powerful question to me: “Why is this showing up for you, Andrew, and what do you need to learn from this?” 

I must admit that I was initially taken aback by the question. Until then, I had never really considered the underlying reasons behind my triggers. Tracy further asked if similar situations had occurred in the past, and I recounted several instances. 

Through our discussion, Tracy helped me recognise that my fear of confronting dominant individuals stemmed from my relationship with my father. As a child, I often felt intimidated by him and hesitated to assert myself. 

Tracy guided me to see that this trigger presented an opportunity for growth and encouraged me to schedule a phone call to ‘Billy’ where I could stand up for myself. 

Although I was terrified, I firmly believe in the saying, “Feel the fear and do it anyway.” 

After the phone call, I experienced an overwhelming sense of liberation, and since then, the triggering issue has not resurfaced. I no longer fear standing up for myself. 

Understanding and acknowledging our triggers is crucial. It’s important to realise that these triggers stem from our unresolved issues rather than being solely the fault of others. 

Ironically, the people who frustrate and annoy us the most often serve as our greatest teachers. It’s undoubtedly challenging, but we should be grateful to them for helping us confront our internal struggles. 

I’m aware that this blog post may even trigger some readers; if that’s the case, I see it as a positive outcome. 

Remember, triggers are opportunities for growth. So embrace them, explore their origins, and embark on a journey of self-discovery. 

Wishing you an excellent day!

FEAR OF MISSING OUT?

Enter your details to get useful tips and ideas to help you grow your business
SUBSCRIBE NOW
close-link

Subscribe to Freedom Farmer Blog

Tips and tricks delivered to your inbox to help you on your freedom farming journey
SUBSCRIBE NOW
close-link


Farm Owners Academy

Farm Owners Academy © 2015 - | All Rights Reserved | ABN 93 624 830 128 | Ph 0447 184 167
 Terms & Conditions | Privacy PolicyDisclaimerContact Us

FOA Facebook FOA Instagram FOA Twitter FOA Youtube