b'PARTNER CONTENTC-Suite CrisisWhy Finding the Right Leaders is Ags Biggest Challenge A cross the seed industry, leadership is fast emerging as the deciding factor in whether companies growor fall behind. Market forces, technology, and policy continue to reshape the landscape, but the most consequential variable is often whos at the helm.The High Cost of Misaligned LeadershipLeadership gaps are no longer abstract. In estab-lished companies, poor leadership can cost up to 7% of total revenues. In private equity-backedligence, results orientation, and comfort with By Aaron Locker, firms, that figure can reach 20 times an executivesambiguity consistently rise to the top4. These traits Managing Director,compensationdriven not only by poor decisionsallow leaders to stay grounded in uncertainty, build Kincannon & Reedbut by lost momentum, misaligned strategies, andresilient teams, and adapt to setbacks with clarity alocker@krsearch.com 1-302-354-5709 weakened morale. and focus.Consider a multi-generation Midwest agribusi- The path forward is clear. Organizations must:ness that brought in a CEO with an impressive Create strong succession plans. Start to defineresumebut limited ag experience. Within twowhos next? and treat succession as a core ele-years, missteps and eroded trust led to major finan- ment of strategic planning, not a contingency.cial losses. For leaders from outside the industry,Assess and align development with strategy. structured onboarding is essential to build context,Besides whos next? also ask Do they have relationships, and credibility quickly. The takeawaythe potential to take us where we need to go? is clear: todays ag leaders need more than generalThen, define a development path. management skillsthey need an understanding Expand the search. If you need to go outside the of industry dynamics and agility to lead throughindustry, broaden candidate pools to include complexity. those from outside agthen provide onboard-ing that builds credibility and context fast.A Changing Talent LandscapeDouble down on culture. In todays job market,By Jon Leafstedt, We are entering a decade of transition. By 2025,candidates choose companies with values that Managing Partner,more people will turn 65 than ever before, andresonate. A strong employer brand rooted in Kincannon & Reedfor every leader aged 3550, two are preparing topurpose and innovation is key.leafstedt@krsearch.comretire. As a result, agricultural leadership must 1-515-988-4888increasingly look beyond traditional, farm-grownA Quiet CrisisAnd a Clear Opportunitypipelines. At the same time, challenges like sustain- The seed industrys challenges are realbut so are Resources: ability, digitization, and global volatility demandits opportunities. Success in this next era will hinge Leadership bynew capabilities. on leadership that is resilient, emotionally intelli-1 -The True Cost of Poor Unicorn Labs Yet, many companies remain underprepared.gent, and grounded in both strategy and empathy.2 -20x: The Impact of Failed Leaders in Private Equity Backed CompaniesA majority of ag companies do not have a formalFor over 40 years, Kincannon & Reed has by PrimeGenesis succession plan in place. And while the pace ofworked exclusively in food and agriculture to help 3 -The Peak 65 Zone Research Paper bychange increases, the ability to find leaders withorganizations identify, develop, and support their the Retirement Income Institute both ag knowledge and cross-sector expertiseleaders. If these issues resonate and youre thinking 4 -2024 Client Research Report by the Association of Executive Search andremains a hurdle. about your leadership needs, we welcome the Leadership ConsultantsSo what matters most now? Emotional intel- conversation.JUNE 2025SEEDWORLD.COM /51'