Retaining Talent Through Trust, Purpose & Strategic Communication with Andrew Lauver

The Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast

Andrew Lauver is a dynamic young professional in the agriculture industry with significant experience in various facets of the field. With a rooted background in farming—being a part of a fifth-generation farming family—Andrew brings insightful perspectives on agribusiness leadership. Currently engaged with Farm Journal, his career touches upon government relations, precision agriculture technology, and advocacy, serving a social purpose within the agricultural community. Andrew's passion for agriculture is matched by his intentional approach to career development and industry impact.

Episode Summary:

In this thought-provoking episode of the Intentional Agribusiness Leader podcast, host Mark is joined by Andrew Lauver of Farm Journal for an in-depth conversation. The episode dives into Andrew's journey within the agribusiness sector and his unique approach to leadership and innovation in agriculture. The discussion navigates through the essence of being intentional in one's career and the significance of understanding and engaging with the farming community at a deeper level.

Andrew and Mark discuss the importance of developing a workplace culture that empowers young leaders and retains talent through trust, purpose, and strategic communication. The episode also explores the challenges of adapting to change and the role of personal experiences in shaping one's professional life. Drawing from historical references and personal anecdotes, the dialogue is a blend of meaningful strategies and leadership insights designed to resonate with industry professionals.

• The importance of self-awareness and setting goals based on individual strengths for intentional career progress.
• Techniques to engage and retain young talent in agribusiness, emphasizing the roles of responsibility, social purpose, and consistent check-ins.
• The critical role that company culture plays in the success of an organization, including the need for it to be articulated recurrently and to be backed by mission alignment and empathetic leadership.
• Andrew's personal account of career challenges while transitioning into new agricultural domains and overcoming personal losses by drawing on historical inspiration.
• Best communication practices for professional settings, including the preference for direct phone calls over text messaging for nuanced discussions.

Key Takeaways:

• Being intentional in agribusiness entails combining self-awareness with a clear goal-setting strategy.
• Young talent retention requires a mix of responsibility, purpose-driven roles, and regular engagement.
• A consciously crafted and articulated culture is crucial for organizational adaptability and growth.
• Overcoming professional hurdles often involves leveraging your strong points and learning from both the past and your surroundings.
• Direct communication, like phone calls, is still paramount for addressing sensitive issues in a professional environment.

Notable Quotes:

• "The opportunity to advocate and to carry forward with a social purpose drive and be intentional with that has really been an area of passion for me." - Andrew Lauver
• "Never underestimate the contributions that an individual just coming into the workplace can make." - Andrew Lauver
• "The more intentional you are about [succession planning], especially from a leadership standpoint ... it certainly eases it." - Andrew Lauver
• "There's at least one opportunity or challenge that seems to arise weekly that then you can discuss with a manager in a weekly one to one." - Andrew Lauver
• "The other element too, that I think is important is understanding the mission. What is our progress to date? What have we achieved? But where are we going?" - Andrew Lauver

Tune in to the full episode for a deep dive into intentional leadership and culture-building in agribusiness, along with personal stories from Andrew Lauver. Stay connected with us for more inspiring content that empowers agribusiness professionals to thrive in today's industry landscape.