In this special mash-up episode of The Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast, host Mark Jewell sits down with three exceptional leaders—Brent from Fibertech Plastics, Jed Miller from Ag Partners Cooperative, and Jeremy Groeteke from Syngenta. Together, they explore the power of intentional leadership, the role of company culture in shaping success, and the importance of talent retention in the agribusiness industry.

Through insightful conversations, these industry leaders break down how deliberate decision-making, cultural alignment, and strategic leadership can transform businesses and empower teams. Listeners will gain valuable takeaways on navigating change, fostering engagement, and building a work environment where employees thrive.

Key Takeaways:

• Intentional leadership is about clarity, focus, and purpose-driven action, ensuring teams stay aligned with organizational goals.
• Company culture is either created by default or by design—leaders must actively shape and reinforce values within their teams.
• Talent retention thrives when employees see meaningful progress and impact in their work—misalignment leads to disengagement and turnover.
• Leaders must master change management, guiding teams through transitions with clear communication and strategic direction.
• Saying 'no' is as important as saying 'yes'—staying out of the weeds allows leaders to empower their teams and focus on high-value tasks.
• Vulnerability and transparency foster trust and innovation, enabling employees to take risks and push boundaries for growth.
• Investing in team engagement, mentorship, and recognition pays off, leading to stronger employee satisfaction and higher performance.

Notable Quotes:

💡 "Culture is going to get created one way or the other. It's just either going to be by default, or it's going to be by design." - Mark Jewell

💡 "Biggest thing is making sure that the talent is working on the right problems. When talent tends to work on problems that don't get to market...the talent gets frustrated and they leave." - Jeremy Groeteke

💡 "To be intentional, you have to be deliberate. You can’t build a thriving team without first creating clarity and focus." - Brent

💡 "If you don't tell your story, somebody will make it up for you." - Jeremy Groeteke

💡 "We are responsible for taking advantage of the gifts we’ve been given—if we don’t use them, it’s like telling God ‘thanks, but no thanks.’" - Jed Miller

Why You Should Listen:

This episode is packed with practical insights from real agribusiness leaders who have built thriving teams and sustainable companies. Whether you're a CEO, sales leader, agronomist, or entrepreneur, you'll walk away with actionable strategies to enhance leadership effectiveness, build a strong company culture, and retain top talent.

🔹 Ready to lead with intention? Listen now and take your agribusiness leadership to the next level! 🎧