Steven Harrelson: Balancing Leadership and Lifestyle in Agriculture

The Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast

In this insightful episode of the "Intentional Agribusiness Leader" podcast, host Mark Jewell welcomes Steven Harrelson, COO of Growers, to discuss the importance of intentional leadership and innovation in the agriculture industry. Steven shares his wealth of experience from his time at Southern States Cooperative and dives into his new role at Growers, giving listeners an insider’s look at how technology and software are transforming ag retail.

Mark and Steven begin by exploring what it means to be intentional both personally and professionally. Steven emphasizes the need for deliberate choices and how society’s distractions can hinder intentionality, especially in the seasonal, cyclical ag industry. The conversation shifts to the evolving challenges in agriculture, notably the increasing demands for work-life balance and personalized leadership. With their depth of experience, both hosts delve into practical strategies for raising standards and being better stewards of one’s responsibilities, touching on critical practices like time management and daily intentional habits.

Steven also shares his personal journey of discipline in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and how that discipline translates into effective leadership. The discussion is peppered with stories from Steven's career, highlighting the significant shift from being an individual top performer to a leadership role that focuses on coaching and developing others. The episode concludes with an overview of Growers, the innovative ag tech company Steven now leads, and its role in creating seamless, frictionless relationships between manufacturers, ag retailers, and farmers.

Key Takeaways:

• Intentional Leadership: Being deliberate about choices and having a vision for outcomes is essential, especially in a distraction-filled society.
• Work-Life Balance: The modern ag industry demands better work-life balance, challenging leaders to meet these evolving expectations.
• Personal Stewardship: Personal habits, like consistent exercise and healthy eating, are fundamental to being effective and sustaining energy as a leader.
• From Performer to Coach: Transitioning from an individual performer to a leadership role requires developing new skills, particularly in coaching and mentoring others.
• Innovative Solutions in Ag Tech: Growers is developing groundbreaking software that fosters efficient, frictionless connections among manufacturers, ag retailers, and farmers, addressing significant industry challenges.

Notable Quotes:

1. "To me, it’s really about being deliberate about our choices and having a vision for outcomes that we would expect." – Steven Harrelson
2. "Being intentional about your leadership style can help you do that." – Steven Harrelson
3. "What we've been given as leaders are the people we're charged to care for, and our job is to multiply them." – Mark Jewell
4. "It’s very difficult to be intentional with others if you’re not intentional with yourself." – Steven Harrelson
5. "Touch points create a lot of value for people, and you may not even recognize it as a leader." – Steven Harrelson

Don't miss this engaging episode filled with valuable insights on intentional leadership and innovation in agribusiness. Listen now and stay tuned for more episodes of the Intentional Agribusiness Leader podcast to continue your journey of professional growth and industry knowledge.