b'PEOPLE-POWERED LEADERSHIPDo You Want to be Right, or do youWant Things to go Well? AT SEED WORLD GROUP,one of our interviewup walls to protect ourselvescommunication walls questions is, When was the last time you changedthat shield us from ideas and people we dont like, and your mind about something? Its shocking to me howfrom being challenged.often people dont have an answer or feel apologeticWe dont want to listen to them, or to compromise. when they do. They dont realize that we see it as aWe like to feel that were in the right. Its human nature. massive strength. If we genuinely listen to those we sit down with, theres Were not looking for someone who changes theira fear that we might have to meet them halfway, or at mind frivolously, of course, but for someone self-awareleast acknowledge they have a right to feel how they enough to understand and consider why someone elsedo. With these walls in place, theres no room for real BY SHAWN BROOKholds a different viewpoint. Hearing what someoneconversation. If we could figure out how to sit down President of Seedsays is only part of the battle and understanding whyand have an open conversation without fear, we could World Group. they say it while being able to reflect on what you thinkmake real progress. you heard is critical. This traditional communicationWe must foster the skill of talking WITH someone technique ensures clarity and mutual understanding,instead of talking AT them. Its a skill thats becoming but we dont do much of that anymore. Its a skill werare and I believe that social media has eroded our abil-need to reclaim.ity to engage in meaningful, two-way conversations. We have a problem in our industry, one thatsWe need to focus on developing this skill again, as its been brewing for a while. Theres a significant gap incrucial for effective communication and collaboration. understanding whats needed to deliver on requests.My dad used to say, If you dont stand for some-This is especially apparent when it comes to the realmthing, youll fall for anything. What he meant was that of policy. Its one thing to ask for something, but itsits important to have strong values, but many people another to be clear about what needs to happen tooften take that phrase to mean you should have a very make it deliverable. firm, unwavering opinion, which creates a barrier to This is especially apparent when government isaccepting change or other viewpoints.dealing with industry, and vice versa.Being extremely opinionated, to the point of never When I talk to people in these situations, it becomeschanging your mind, leads to an extreme mental-evident that they dont want to compromise. Theyity where we fight tooth and nail to ensure everyone have a firm opinion, and it blinds them to the nuancesknows what we stand for and that we wont ever waver involved in making things happen. They need to gener- from that. ate clarity, but they dont do that because they fearCompromising to reach the finish line is not a failure. they might end up compromising. They see compro- It takes wisdom, self-awareness, commitment and mise as failure, because the situation often involvesbravery. For anyone who thinks that compromising to sitting down with people they disagree with. find a solution is a bad thing, Id suggest they either Many have lost the ability to have conversations andhavent been around very long, or theyre confused healthy discourse with those we disagree with, whichabout what the end game is.is a fundamental problem in politics and, quite frankly,Another adage from my dad is, You can either be throughout the global seed industry. right or you can have things go well. Being committed This inability to understand someone elses view- to things going well is different from being committed point or be clear enough to create a path forwardto being right. Go into conversations with the mindset prevents us from reaching our goals. When we dontof making things go well, and youll be amazed at the like someone or what we think they stand for, we putsolutions that emerge.SW38/ SEEDWORLD.COMLATAM'