Will’s World: Good leadership helps to fight farmers’ corner
© Richard Stanton I’ve long enjoyed reading books about leadership.
Whether politicians, entrepreneurs or elite sportsmen and women, it’s always fascinating to learn about how they coped with pressure and adversity, gained successes, and dealt with the people around them – friend or foe.
See also: Former NFU ambassadors reflect on their experiences in the role
About the author
Recently I finished Leadership in Turbulent Times: Lessons from the Presidents by Doris Kearns Goodwin, which looks at the lives, careers and times of four of the greatest US leaders.
It’s a powerful and enjoyable read, and I’d thoroughly recommend it if, like me, you’re a hopeless nerd about these things.
I saw somewhere that leadership development is a $366bn (£302bn) industry in the US, and that got me thinking.
Surely it comes down to just a few key points: turn up on time; do what you say you’ll do; do it to the very best of your ability; stay calm; be decisive; treat others how you’d like to be treated; be willing to have your thoughts and opinions challenged; and make sure everyone around you feels heard and respected.
(If any American publishing houses are reading this, get in touch through FW and we can talk about a hefty advance on my multi-book deal. Look out for Will Evans on Leadership – Volume One in various bargain bins around the country soon, folks.)
Leading man
Having made it all sound very easy on paper, I know full well that in practice it’s not.
I’m still not entirely sure how it happened, but I’ve somehow found myself the current chairman of the Oxford Farming Conference.
The main thing I’ve learned from this is that being a leader is incredibly difficult, and often quite lonely.
Fortunately, I’ve had an amazingly talented team of lovely people around me who have done all the hard work and made the experience immeasurably easier than it could have been.
I’ve still been racked with self-doubt about whether I’m doing a good enough job, and worry constantly that the decisions I’ve made will impact negatively on the conference and everyone involved. I suppose we’ll find out in January.
© Telling Photography
One leader we are extremely fortunate to have in agriculture, though, is Minette Batters.
I was intrigued when I saw that she’d been interviewed lately for one of my favourite podcasts, The Rest is Politics, hosted by former Tory MP Rory Stewart and former Labour spin doctor Alastair Campbell.
It’s a fascinating glimpse into the character and motivations of a woman who’s led the NFU – and therefore by proxy the entire agriculture industry – through some of the most challenging times in living memory.
She came across extraordinarily well, representing farmers as she always does with an excellent grasp of the facts, good humour, quiet confidence, and an enviable communication style.
Big shoes to fill
I’ve been fortunate enough to meet Minette on several occasions.
She’s one of those people who, despite her position, is interested in you as a person and asks questions accordingly.
I always think that reflects well on individuals, and on leaders particularly.
What I’ve always liked most about Minette is her relatability.
Despite everything else she does, and all the plaudits she receives, first and foremost she’s an ordinary tenant farmer from a relatively small family business who cares deeply about her community and those of us within it, and has done her utmost over the past decade to fight our corner.
I hope that when she steps down from her role next year, there’ll be a book on its way about her experiences and reflections on leadership. That’s one we really would like to read.