Description

In this engaging episode of the Intentional Agribusiness Leader podcast, host Mark Jewell sits down with Kade Haas, the Senior Vice President of Locus Ag. Delving into Kade’s professional journey from agronomy research to leading a biological seed treatment company, the episode highlights pivotal aspects of leadership, teamwork, and the evolving landscape of agribusiness.

Kade discusses the importance of intentionality in decision-making and how his team at Locus Ag focuses on specific targets to foster clarity and avoid wasted efforts. They delve into the challenges and strategies for promoting biological products within the agriculture sector, emphasizing the need for educating farmers and dealers about the products' benefits and limitations. Kade also shares insights on building and maintaining a successful sales team, stressing the importance of vulnerability and honesty in leadership roles.

Exploring Kade's personal life, the conversation touches on managing a busy schedule that includes work, family, and personal interests such as dog training and hunting. Kade reveals how maintaining his health routine and learning to say no have been instrumental in staying productive and achieving work-life balance. Packed with valuable advice for leaders and professionals in agribusiness, this episode offers a mix of personal anecdotes and professional wisdom.

Key Takeaways:

• Intentional Decision-Making: Kade highlights the importance of having a direct target in mind when making decisions, ensuring clarity and purpose.
• Training and Team Building: Emphasizing on educating the sales team and dealer partners about biological products to foster better understanding and adoption rates.
• Vulnerability in Leadership: Kade discusses the need for vulnerability among leaders to learn from mistakes and collaboratively find solutions.
• Work-Life Balance: Kade balances his busy professional life with personal interests and family time, stressing the importance of staying healthy and organized.
• Agribusiness Challenges: Insight into the challenges of promoting biological products and the importance of honest marketing practices in the agricultural sector.

Notable Quotes:

1. "It's having a direct target in mind when we make a decision. Just being laser focused on what we're going after." - Kade Haas
2. "No wasted movements, I guess, is the way I like to look at it." - Kade Haas
3. "You can have trichoderma, but then we get down to the strain level, and that's where companies that are successful really focus." - Kade Haas
4. "I think a good head football coach surrounds themselves with better coaches than they are." - Kade Haas
5. "I don't want people to disagree. That's how great ideas are born." - Kade Haas

Tune in to the full episode for an in-depth conversation on leadership in agribusiness, and stay connected for more insightful episodes of the Intentional Agribusiness Leader podcast.