Episode Details

In this episode, Mark Jewell welcomes Josh Hilbrands, the new CEO of AgPlus in southwest Minnesota. With over two decades of co-op experience, Josh dives into the importance of intentional leadership, culture-building, and navigating the challenges of leading an organization post-merger. He shares his approach to fostering accountability, unifying teams, and keeping a people-first focus while leading change with trust and clarity.

Key Takeaways:

• Defining Intentional Leadership:
• For Josh, intentionality means consistency, accountability, and following through on commitments.
• Being intentional ensures alignment between goals, execution, and team dynamics.
• Challenges and Surprises in Stepping Up as CEO:
• Biggest learning curves: managing insurance, banking, and deeper financial oversight.
• The pleasant surprise: incredibly low turnover (2%) and a culture of dedicated, long-tenured employees.
• Culture and Accountability:
• People and culture are the differentiators in any business. AgPlus prioritizes inclusion, feedback, and trust.
• Moving from "good to great" requires clear accountability and consistent processes across all divisions.
• Managing Post-Merger Dynamics:
• Mergers bring unique challenges, including identity crises and lingering competition among legacy teams.
• Intentional change management focuses on fostering unity, removing friction, and aligning teams under a shared vision.
• The Role of Accountability in Unity:
• Employees often ask for accountability because it creates clarity, consistency, and fairness.
• Addressing friction and aligning standards helps teams operate more efficiently and with greater trust.

Notable Quotes:

• “People don’t leave companies, they leave people. Culture and leadership matter.” – Josh Hilbrands
• “All the times in life I’ve been the most resentful are because of the times I’ve been the least intentional.” – Mark Jewell
• “When we all agree on the plan, it’s hard to argue with the direction. Stick to the plan and execute.” – Josh Hilbrands
• “Change is hard, but it’s necessary. Intentionality is how we move from friction to unity.” – Mark Jewell

Practical Applications for Leaders:

1. Create Accountability with Intention:

• Set clear goals and hold teams accountable to ensure consistent progress.
• Build a culture where feedback is valued and employees feel part of the solution.

1. Focus on Unity During Change:

• Remove legacy barriers and create a shared vision post-merger or during transitions.
• Communicate clearly and align teams under a single identity.

1. Trust and Listen to Your Team:

• Leadership thrives when employees feel seen, heard, and involved in decision-making processes.

1. Balance Action with Patience:

• Leaders must slow down, analyze challenges, and avoid reactive decision-making to make informed, intentional moves.

Leadership is a journey—let’s make it an intentional one.