b"The biggest issue that we're dealing with today is that the pace of innovation is outpacing the ability of the federal govern-ment to monitor it, develop policy or regulation and to ensureThe further and further we get along with our that they're comfortable with it, explains LaVigne. The further and further we get along with our plant breeding evolution,plant breeding evolution, discovery and innovation, discovery and innovation, the slower the government gets. That starts to hinder our discovery and the ability to implement it.the slower the government gets. As we look at climate change, everyone says it is gradual. Well, Andy LaVignegovernment policy and understanding are even slower. That's not good for innovation, especially as quickly as we need it. Especially as quickly as growth is expected.As a leader, pushback is inevitable. Its how someone handles the obstacles and challenges that are thrown at them that provesPioneer, with no training on how to be a successful leader to his the kind of leader they truly are. For someone like LaVigne, hisnew team looking to him for guidance.strength lies in getting the decision makers around the table toI had tremendous staff, and I took that extremely seriously. In cooperate by prioritizing collaboration. fact, I was hired straight out of plant breeding and put in charge You bring the people around the table who can help you findof creating a brand-new station. I did that, and within one year, a solution. And you don't start with what you disagree on. YouI had land, a building and I hired my first staff. And I found out start with what you agree on and what the goal is. It's not aboutthat I was not a very good people leader, says Blackburn. I ASTA getting credit, it's about the seed industry getting credit.took that very seriously and took that harshly. I was just so much It's about the grower getting credit and having new products,of a micromanager in those days. You can tend to suffocate says LaVigne.your staff. And I worked on that. I began treating my staff much LaVigne was recently presented with the NAPB Friends ofbetter. We had very successful early years, and I always remem-Plant Breeding Award. This award honors people whose careerbered that throughout my career.may or may not have been involved in plant breeding, but whoIt might have been a rocky beginning, but Blackburn knew through their professional activities and passion have contributedthat the only way for him to be triumphant was to keep moving significantly to the plant breeding discipline. The award acts as aforward amid change.testament to LaVignes leadership capabilities and power to bringI had no choice. What I found in my career is when you don't the community together amidst similarities and differences. have any choice, you need to just go after it, he explains. It was LaVigne continues to champion change, highlighting thea tremendous effort. Not simple, but it was great to get to the increasing issues across the world that he believes the industryfinish line and get to the finished product.can join forces to combat.Clearly no stranger to significant changes, Blackburn advises What I love to talk about with this group is we have a respon- those who are not so keen on company or organization shifts to sibility as an industry. Yes, we sit here in the U.S., a very comfort- embrace their feelings of nostalgia.able country, and are able to feed ourselves, but there are a lotTheres no problem with being nostalgic. You need to be of people in the world that can't and rely on countries like theproud, and I was certainly proud of what we had done at Dow U.S. and Europe to find solutions to their issues, he explains.AgroSciences, he adds.That's where the plant breeding community comes in. When IA mentor to many, Blackburn was recently awarded the talk about plant breeding, my passion is deeper than just seeds.NAPB Lifetime Achievement Award. This honor highlights an That's who pays the bills and who employs me, but it's plantindividual who has offered long-term services to the plant breed-breeding. It's the trees, vines, and bushes. It's plant breeding, anding community in areas including research, education, extension how to get that discovery out there. outreach and leadership.Blackburns secret to being a good mentor? Soaking up the Leaders Step Up to the Challenge knowledge and advice from his past mentors.Leadership skills come naturally to some, but not all who step upI had great mentors in my career. When you have great men-and lead are seeking out that responsibilitysometimes, it justtors, and you really, truly listen to the advice you get from them, finds them. Quality leadership takes learning from mistakes andyou can't help but to have it rub off on you and you'll learn how improving for the betterment of the company and staff. Donto be a good mentor, he says. An important part of leadership Blackburn, retired NA regional crops and global breeding ser- is following the golden rule. Just treat people as you think they vices lead for Corteva Agriscience, is a living testament to this.would want to be treated. And if you do that, you can become a Originally a plant breeder, Blackburns engagement and influ- very good mentor to really anybody.ence go well beyond the breeding community. He was hired outFor these four giantsSenior, Skemp, LaVigne and of breeding and instantly put in charge of creating a brand-newBlackburnthe bigger picture is much more important than the station during a merger between Dow AgriSciences and DuPontrecognition for their outstanding leadership.SW34/ SEEDWORLD.COMDECEMBER 2022"