Germination put out the call for nominations to identify some of our industry’s most important mentors who have played a role in helping the next generation develop their skills. We had three main criteria: they be a person who’s demonstrated proven mentorship skills; they be at least 55 years of age; and they be retired from their main seed industry job. Here’s the fifth of who we selected for 2022.
Age: 68
Location: Texas
Known for: Focusing on what matters most
Linda Trolinder has had several mentors throughout her career, but one that stands out for her is Rick Turner, former senior vice-president of Seeds & Traits at BASF.
“Rick has an uncanny ability to deliver, with perfect timing, humour and grace, his career-long learnings, valuable insights and/or challenges when needed. His unique ability to bring one to understand and consider all perspectives from the grower to corporate headquarters provides valuable support for the development of an emerging leader as well as the benefit of the seed industry,” says Trolinder, senior VP research & development Seeds & Traits at BASF in North Carolina.
“His mentorship is impactful, providing gentle but firm guidance to help one to see with crystal clarity how to navigate complexity and focus on what matters most, never losing focus on the impact on the grower.”
Throughout his career, which began with a biology degree at the University of Guelph, 13 years at Bayer and over three years at BASF, the Canadian-born Turner has been a mentor for countless emerging leaders.
Turner recommends people take on mentorship roles early in their careers, which creates a mutual learning journey.
“One thing I learned is that all accomplishments happen because of people’s combined efforts, not just individual efforts. For companies to grow and prosper, you have to grow the people with the company as well as adding and developing new talent along the way. I learned to recognize the value of good people and putting people in the right roles,” he says.
“It’s important to have people working in roles that they’re suited to and provide a sense of accomplishment. For some that’s constantly being motivated by new challenges; for others it’s continued refinement and advancement in a specific area. Career development and advancement means different things to different people. Roles of higher responsibility are not for everybody and it’s important to have job satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment in their work, which ultimately increases value to the employee and employer.”
For more Mentors Who Matter visit:
How Daniel Perry Ushered in a Quiet Revolution of DNA-Based Seed Testing
How Cathy Breadner Makes People Want to be Seed Analysts
Plant Breeders! Do Your Work With a Collaborative Spirit, Says Harvey Voldeng
Never Stop Learning and Nourish Your Network, says Plant Breeding Legend Bryan Harvey
