SOME MIGHT SAY that Mark Herrmann was destined for a career in the seed industry, but he didn’t leave his success to fate. He worked for it, dedicated himself to it and is still in active pursuit. Herrmann is a native of northern Illinois, where the soil is black and row after row of corn fills the landscape. For passersby, it was just “more corn.” For Herrmann, it was the beginning of much more. His first job was detasseling corn for a seed corn production plant, where he later ran the cutting and rolling machines. “When I started college in 1980, I knew I wanted to be part of the industry,” says the chair of the American Seed Trade Association and president and CEO of AgReliant Genetics. Herrmann attributes much of his success to having been blessed with great managers and leaders who challenged him and provided the opportunity to stretch and grow. “I’m always learning,” he says. “I believe you can learn something from everyone you meet and everyone you work with — there’s always a takeaway.” A few of the lessons he’s learned along the way that guide his man- agement philosophy include knowing himself, investing in people and creating a culture that rewards the courageous. First, Herrmann says it’s important to know who you are, your strengths and your weaknesses. Know Who You Are, Develop Who You Want to Be “I have a very driver-type personality,” Herrmann says. “I like to stay focused to get things done and check them off the list, but that isn’t everyone’s approach. Over the years, I have benefited from personal development tools to understand my working style.” Herrmann believes that it is also important to gain feedback from people you work with to better under- stand who you are, your strengths and weaknesses, and the impact of your style on others. With this information, you can bridge your own skill gaps and develop who you want to be. Most life coaches operate under the belief that personal development begins with self-awareness. From cornfields to boardrooms, Mark Herrmann reflects on his past and what’s led to his stellar career. From this, he shares three tips that help guide his business and management philosophy today.Julie Deering 10 / SEEDWORLD.COM JUNE 2017 LESSONS LEARNED PURSUITOF SUCCESS IN THE