“Trust always affects two measurable outcomes: speed and cost. When trust goes down—in a relationship, on a team, in a company, in an industry, with a customer—speed decreases with it. Everything takes longer. Simultaneously, costs increase. Redundancy processes, with everyone checking up on everyone else, cost more. In relationships, on teams, in companies, that’s a […]
Dealing With Farmer Denial of Dementia
Maggie Van Camp, leader of agricultural development for BDO, sees the key foreboding issue for agriculture as farm succession. She asks, “Who is going to farm in future generations…and how the heck are we going to transfer the management and ownership of those farms?” Consider the following facts that are currently impacting farm succession: Never […]
The Importance of Relaxation: Why It’s Good for You & The Farm
Now more than ever, the importance of relaxation can’t be understated. Give yourself permission to relax. If there were 25 hours in a day, how would you spend that extra hour? Would you cram in another hour of work or would you take time for yourself and relax? Before you answer, consider this: According to […]
One Day at a Time: Tips to Manage Change on the Farm During the “Great Pause”
Sun streams onto my computer as I imagine what life is like for you on your farm in the middle of May 2020. I’ve just been blessed by the wise words of Donna Brighton, of the Brighton Leadership Group, a wise coach and realistic woman. Our families need us to manage change and lead from […]
6 Tips to Avoid Burnout on the Farm
“Work/life balance” comes up as an important topic for many young farmers. In my opinion, it’s time to change our language to “the choices we make to manage our time.” When we realize we have a choice in the matter, then we can take action and more easily avoid burnout on the farm. Just knowing […]
12 Tips to Boost Farm Communication During a Crisis
Communication is important all the time, but communication during a crisis is essential. How has the current environment changed communication on your family farm? To help you out, I want to share tips from Patti Durand, a friend and an amazing transition specialist at Farm Credit Canada, as well as some extra tips that were […]
3 Keys to Embracing the Fight on Your Farm
Sitting on my stool in front of the third farm audience of the week, I should not be surprised to receive the same question for the third time by text: “Elaine, how do we stop the conflict on our farm? “ Don’t stop conflict. Change your mindset about fighting. Fight differently. Conflict that is resolved […]
Conflict Resolution: The Daughter-In-Law Barrier
Sometimes a short conversation lights a huge fire of controversy and this blog may create a few sparks. But please read carefully all the way to the end for key insights about conflict resolution in farm families. Conflict Resolution for Farm Families A farm family with a very strong-willed daughter-in-law asks their business planner how […]
Staying on Track with Your Vision for Family, Farm, and Ownership During Uncertain Times
If April 20th is the deadline on your farm to have the machinery field ready, you likely aren’t in the house reading this on paper, but perhaps you’re on my website blog, killing time in the field waiting or enjoying auto-steer. Farmers are problem solvers and fixers, but I don’t think we anticipated the ripple […]
Assumption-Free Living on Your Farm
A weary-looking farm woman waits patiently in line making sure she is the last one to speak to me privately after my keynote. She has just one question. “When is the right time to start including our daughter-in-law in family business meetings? She doesn’t know a thing!” How would you respond? Reflective listening is activated, and […]
