b"What Does it Take to GrowGreat Seed Industry Leaders?Jacob Ware, the chair of ASTAs Leadership, Education and Development Committee, says a lot rides on mentorship and intentional leadership.Madeleine BaergJACOB WARE IS Abusiness man- SW: Twelve years into the industry, ager for HM.CLAUSE. He manageswhat kind of advice would you give a product development and sales teampeople who are just getting started spread across the United States andin leadership or looking to improve Canada. He is also the chair of ASTAstheir leadership skills?Leadership, Education and DevelopmentJW: I think curiosity and being a constant (LEAD) Committee. We sat down withlearner is one of the most important Jake to talk about mentorship, leader- aspects. There's so much content out ship and the critical importance ofthere on leadership. I've been reading a trying something new. lot of Ryan Holiday lately. He focuses on stoicism. But also, Simon Sinek, David Seed World: How long have youGoggins, Tim Keller, Carnegie, Lencioni, been part of the seed industry? Gladwell, Covey. If youre not an avid Jacob Ware: I started in 2012, so aboutreader, that's fine. Audible, podcasts, 11 years. I studied economics with aYouTube: theyre all great. minor in business, then worked in anI think the other thing is to try things. environmental field. I come from a familyTry these different leadership skills. Try a of farmers and my father is in the seedproject that you've read somewhere and industry. I wasn't going to be in agricul- you want to bring to your team. There's a tureI was going to do my own thingSW: The intentionality of how shelittle bit of vulnerability involved there but I but [agriculture] definitely has a way ofhas supported you is important topromise that, even if it's not a success and pulling you into it.the whole seed sector. Can you talkyou continue to try and find your way, I more broadly about intentionalthink people really respect that over time. SW: Over the years, you've takenleadership within this sector? And they really appreciate the genuine on more and more leadership roles.JW: I think leadership is important inaspect that you're trying to improve things. Now youre also in leadership withany sector. Incredibly important. I haveAnd lastly, its just a shameless plug, ASTA as well. Did you have mentorsa table in my office that has turned intobut attend the ASTA Leadership Summit. along the way who supported youra puzzle table for my daughters. There'sIts a fantastic way for a company to not professional development? a similarity there, when I think of thatonly give your people some solid lead-JW: I've been lucky to have somequestion, in the sense that you can haveership training, but it's based around very, very good mentors both withinall the pieces that are right for a companythe seed industry. How could that really HM.CLAUSE and outside of it. One into be successful, but I think it's intentionalbe any better? You're able to network, particular would be an old boss of mineleadership that really helps put thoseunderstand the industry as a whole who really helped me develop in mypieces together and create something.and get leadership training that's really career. Why her mentorship has beenHow [good leaders] do that is by havingcatered towards our industry.SWso valuable is that she's a good listener,a vision, getting people pointed in the she truly cares, and she asks amazingsame direction, and really understanding ON THE WEBquestions that really get to the core of atheir people. With intentional leadershipWHERE problem. She also one of those peopleand a good, strong vision, not only can who it can seem knows you better thanwe be successful, but people really enjoyTo see Jacobs entire Q&A interview, watch the video here:you know yourself. what they do.www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZXpmNocev448/ SEEDWORLD.COMOCTOBER 2023"