Tim Gutwein: Clarity is the Cornerstone of Intentionality

The Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast

Tim Gutwein is a prominent figure in the agricultural business sector, known for his role as the owner and operator of AgXplore, a company that has seen tremendous growth under his leadership. Starting with a team of five, Tim scaled the company to employ around 70-75 individuals by the time he bought out the founder in 2018. Tim's background is quite unique as he was born in Bangkok, Thailand, where his parents served as missionaries. His upbringing in a small village without modern conveniences like running water or electricity instilled in him a sense of curiosity and an ability to solve problems, traits that have served him well in his business ventures.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of the Intentional Agribusiness Leader podcast, we sit down with Tim Gutwein, the visionary behind AgXplore, to delve into his personal and professional journey. Our conversation unravels Tim's unique backstory, his approach to intentional leadership, and the driving force behind AgXplore's success.

We begin by exploring the concept of intentionality, with Tim revealing that clarity is key to intentional leadership. Drawing from lessons learned from his colleague Christine Jewell, Tim emphasizes the significance of clarity in guiding both personal ambitions and organizational direction. The subsequent dialogue pivots to Tim's leadership style, which is greatly influenced by his childhood in Thailand during the Vietnam War. His inherent curiosity and problem-solving skills, forged in a resource-poor setting, have become cornerstones of his business philosophy.

Key takeaways from the episode include why customers should prioritize engaging with a company for its people rather than just its products, insights into Tim's upbringing and its profound impact on his approach to business, and why investing in personal and professional development for both employees and customers is vital.

Key Takeaways:

• Clarity is the cornerstone of intentionality, especially for leaders who must align and inspire their teams.
• Authentic curiosity and relentless problem-solving are critical leadership traits shaped by Tim's unique upbringing.
• AgXplore's success lies in the value its people bring, not just in their product offerings.
• Personal and professional development is essential for the growth of employees and customers alike, reinforcing strong relationships and business growth.
• The future of AgXplore is centered on innovation to maximize the genetic potential of crops, aiming for significant impacts on farm yields.

Notable Quotes:

• "When I have clarity, then I can be intentional about what it is I want to achieve."
• "If I don't have clarity, how are people going to follow me? Or how are people going to, like, buy into the dream or buy into where it is we're trying to go?"
• "I've just always asked why, always try to look at things from different perspectives, and then just really finding ways to solve problems."
• "Don't use us because of our products, but use us because of our people."
• "The average corn yield in the United States is 180 bushels... We know, because we have people that grow 500 bushel corn, we know the genetic potential is much, much higher than that."

Dive into the full episode to hear Tim Gutwine's invaluable insights on leadership, problem-solving, and cultivating a business that truly serves its customers. Stay tuned for more episodes from the Intentional Agribusiness Leader series, where we dissect the strategic minds behind successful agribusinesses.