In this episode, Mark Jewell welcomes Josh Hilbrands, the new CEO of AgPlus in southwest Minnesota. With over two decades of co-op experience, Josh dives into the importance of intentional leadership, culture-building, and navigating the challenges of leading an organization post-merger. He shares his approach to fostering accountability, unifying teams, and keeping a people-first focus while leading change with trust and clarity.
Key Takeaways:
- Defining Intentional Leadership:
- For Josh, intentionality means consistency, accountability, and following through on commitments.
- Being intentional ensures alignment between goals, execution, and team dynamics.
- Challenges and Surprises in Stepping Up as CEO:
- Biggest learning curves: managing insurance, banking, and deeper financial oversight.
- The pleasant surprise: incredibly low turnover (2%) and a culture of dedicated, long-tenured employees.
- Culture and Accountability:
- People and culture are the differentiators in any business. AgPlus prioritizes inclusion, feedback, and trust.
- Moving from "good to great" requires clear accountability and consistent processes across all divisions.
- Managing Post-Merger Dynamics:
- Mergers bring unique challenges, including identity crises and lingering competition among legacy teams.
- Intentional change management focuses on fostering unity, removing friction, and aligning teams under a shared vision.
- The Role of Accountability in Unity:
- Employees often ask for accountability because it creates clarity, consistency, and fairness.
- Addressing friction and aligning standards helps teams operate more efficiently and with greater trust.
Notable Quotes:
- “People don’t leave companies, they leave people. Culture and leadership matter.” – Josh Hilbrands
- “All the times in life I’ve been the most resentful are because of the times I’ve been the least intentional.” – Mark Jewell
- “When we all agree on the plan, it’s hard to argue with the direction. Stick to the plan and execute.” – Josh Hilbrands
- “Change is hard, but it’s necessary. Intentionality is how we move from friction to unity.” – Mark Jewell
Practical Applications for Leaders:
- Create Accountability with Intention:
- Set clear goals and hold teams accountable to ensure consistent progress.
- Build a culture where feedback is valued and employees feel part of the solution.
- Focus on Unity During Change:
- Remove legacy barriers and create a shared vision post-merger or during transitions.
- Communicate clearly and align teams under a single identity.
- Trust and Listen to Your Team:
- Leadership thrives when employees feel seen, heard, and involved in decision-making processes.
- Balance Action with Patience:
- Leaders must slow down, analyze challenges, and avoid reactive decision-making to make informed, intentional moves.
Leadership is a journey—let’s make it an intentional one.
