b"LEADERSHIP REDEFINED:TOP CEO SSTEERING THE SHIP These six business mavericks are showing what it means to be a successful leader in 2023.Marc ZienkiewiczWHO YOU GONNA CALL?THE ROLE OF the modern CEO hasGordon Butcherevolved to encompass a wide rangeAgCallof responsibilities that extend beyondCalgary, Alta.traditional business functions. A CEO is now expected to be a visionary, aIn 1987, Gordon Butcher left the chemi-crisis manager, an innovator and acal industry and immediately delved leader. into consulting work within the crop Sarah Foster, president of 20/20protection sector. His next big business Seed Labs in Nisku, Alta., has aSarah Foster is president of 20/20 Seedventure began during a casual lunch with unique perspective on what makes aLabs and has herself received accolades fora colleague, where the idea of provid-good business leader. Foster has beenher business acumen. ing temporary help in the agricultural recognized for her own accomplish- have to ensure everyone really under- realm, particularly on the agrology side ments in business20/20 Seed Labsstands the project and the customersof things, came up.was recognized by Seed World Canadaexpectations. It was one of those ah-ha moments, as a Top Climate-Smart CompanyShe acknowledges that being aand we couldn't stop discussing it. I last year. She was selected by Businessleader in business is hard and involvesscribbled some notes on the back of a in Edmonton to receive its businesssacrifice on many levels. napkin and, that very evening, I started leadership award in 2019. You've always got to be hungryputting the entire plan into motion, She emphasizes qualities that areand motivated. Youve got to be look- Butcher says.often overlooked in the quest for suc- ing for the next opportunity. YouWithin a week, I had a name for the cess. According to Foster, its aboutcan never accept that youve arrived.venture, and I'd even set up a corpora-experience and paying your dues. Youve always got to think, What if?tion. Remarkably, within a month, we You grow into leadership. Perhapsand be aware of whats coming downsecured our first project.some people are trained differentlythe road. As the months passed, AgCalls work and take the helm right away, but ImFor Foster, a leaders role extendsexpanded rapidly. Within a year, it was sure they dont have the history ofbeyond just managing the business.tackling more projects, and a major knowing how an organization works.They need to have their finger on theclient from the crop protection sector Ive climbed the ladder after workingpulse of their organization and theapproached them. By the fall of 1988 and in the trenches and that gives you theindustry as a whole. 1989, AgCall had between 30 and 40 confidence to oversee all aspects of theHer insights remind us that whilepeople out in the field, up from just three business, she says. leadership and motivation are crucial,at the beginning. In Fosters view, successful CEOsthe ability to listen, adapt and remainAgCall's impressive 35-year journey must prioritize communicationhungry for growth are equally vitalin providing solutions to the agriculture within their organization. for anyone aspiring to be a successfulindustry is characterized by several key Always make sure that you giveCEOlike our roster of top seedmilestones and accomplishments. It your people the time they need to doindustry CEOs for 2023. All six werestarted with direct contact with growers, what youre expecting of them. Yes,selected as examples of leaders whoconducting field trials in crop protection you have to set deadlines, but you alsoembody the above, and more. and the seed industry. Large-scale field 16GERMINATION.CANOVEMBER 2023"