Cory Willness: Embracing a Big-Picture Mindset

The Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast

Cory Willness is the CEO of Croptomistic Technology Inc., a company that significantly impacts the agricultural industry through innovative technology solutions. Corey has an entrepreneurial spirit, having ventured into the world of startups for over 16 years before stepping into his role as the CEO. A visionary with a passion for agriculture and technology, Corey has shaped the company into a success by focusing on building products and services that resonate with the operational needs of agribusiness.

Episode Summary:

In this insightful installment of the "Intentional Agribusiness Leader" podcast, host Mark is joined by Cory Willness, CEO of Croptomistic Technologies, who sheds light on his journey from a zealous entrepreneur to a conscientious leader in the ag tech sector. Corey divulges the symbiotic relationship between intention, passion, and success within his company and the power of embracing a big-picture mindset in a leadership role.

Corey also delves into the nuances of cultivating and scaling an intentional workplace culture that aligns with his early experiences and family life values. Listeners are privy to his strategies for attracting and retaining talent, the transition from hands-on involvement to strategic delegation, and the vital role self-awareness has played in his professional growth. Through his narrative, Corey illuminates the unique challenges and milestones encountered on the path to intentional, impactful leadership in agribusiness.

Key Takeaways:

• Being intentional is about having a relentless passion for what one does, taking control to achieve desired outcomes, and owning both success and the detours along the way.
• Creating an intentional culture requires hiring people who fit the company's values and ethos, and promoting from within can encourage this culture to flourish.
• There is power in vulnerability; whether through transparent business practices or honest communication, it can foster trust and loyalty among customers and employees.
• Flexibility in work-life balance for employees is a critical component of retaining talent and ensuring productivity and satisfaction.
• Self-awareness and personal growth are essential qualities for a CEO, as they inform how the team is led and the direction in which the company develops.

Notable Quotes:

• "I've always felt like I just want to own success. Failure is not an option." – Cory Willness
• "You're better able to focus on the vision and the large-scale needs of the business. And it's kind of the fun stuff, in general, right?" – Cory Willness
• "We build up flex time and then when it's not busy, you're free to go." – Cory Willness
• "You create a good team, good, healthy team... and mistakes don't feel like they're on one person's back." – Cory Willness
• "It's a more humble approach. It's just like, every company's different, so nobody has the answers." – Cory Willness

Tune in to the full episode to explore the intentional agribusiness landscape with Cory and gain insights into how strategic vision, culture, and self-awareness steer his approach to ag tech leadership. Stay connected for more episodes delivering rich conversations with industry leaders.