Cultivating Culture and Growth in Agribusiness with Guy Kuhn

The Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast

With a successful track record in sales, marketing, negotiation, procurement, lending, finance, and energy within the agricultural retail cooperative sector, Guy brings valuable expertise to the table. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness Economics from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, he has honed his skills over the years.

Throughout his journey, Guy has excelled in developing teams and optimizing operations within the agricultural retail landscape. His strengths lie in driving sales and navigating the complexities of the market. His dedication to the industry fuels his commitment to achieving impactful results and fostering sustainable growth.

In this engaging episode of the Intentional Agribusiness Leader podcast, host Mark invites Guy Kuhn from Southern FS to discuss the nuances of intentional leadership and the transformative journey within their cooperative. The conversation kicks off with Guy's definition of being intentional, which includes setting clear goals, being deliberate in actions, and focusing on operating expense efficiency for business improvement. Mark and Guy delve into the power of transparent communication and the importance of talent retention and attraction strategies in agribusiness.

Guy shares personal insights on his leadership progression at Southern FS and how culture plays a crucial role in a company's dynamics and success. He eloquently describes his approach to vulnerability and authenticity in his leadership role and how these qualities foster a trusting and innovative work environment. Guy also discusses the intentional strategies implemented at Southern FS to promote employee growth and satisfaction, ultimately leading to a more profitable and future-ready organization.

Key Takeaways:

• Being intentional as a leader involves setting clear goals, taking deliberate actions, and focusing on aspects like operating expense efficiency to improve business operations.
• Transparent communication about company numbers and costs engages employees and correlates with improved company performance.
• Guy Kuhn emphasizes the critical importance of culture, elevating it through initiatives like employee training programs and technology adoption to support a growing workforce.
• Personal and professional growth doesn't occur by accident; it requires intentional effort and focus, as highlighted by Guy's personal practice of strength training and his professional advocacy for continuous learning.
• Vulnerability is an asset in leadership, as it allows for open communication, promotes trust, and encourages employees to take risks and contribute their best.

Notable Quotes:

• "For me, it's having clear goals, expectations, try to be deliberate in action." - Guy Kuhn
• "Showing more profitability. They have an understanding of, oh, when I do this, it creates this." - Guy Kuhn
• "I feel like my [parents] were paramount in creating my work ethic." - Guy Kuhn
• "If you don't understand the what and the how, it's going to create anxiety." - Guy Kuhn
• "Leaders need to be vulnerable with their people. Employees need to feel safe and be able to take risks to contribute their best." - Guy Kuhn

To experience the full depth of this conversation about intentional leadership practices in the agribusiness sector, tune in to this enlightening episode. Stay subscribed for more valuable discussions on the Intentional Agribusiness Leader podcast.