Russell McLeod’s Post

What's special about leadership within food systems? When you work in food systems you are work on nurturing, relationships, identity, day in and day out. Does this have implications for how you choose to play your leadership role in this space? I'm curious what you think.

What sets food systems leadership apart from other spaces of leadership? “Exploring this will help us to live, support and encourage better food systems leadership,” Our Director, Joost Guijt invites us to a needed conversation as we kick off the year 2025. In this piece, he outlines a few aspects of #foodsystems leadership that set it apart. He notes that food systems are:  ✅ Nurturing. Food nurtures, in many ways. It nurtures the human being that consumes it, the resources needed for it to grow, ecosystems and the economic society. Food systems also nurture the spirit and soul.  ✅ Built on relationships at all levels. Everything we do within food systems is done in relationship to someone or someplace else. As food systems leaders we can ask ourselves which relationships we are dependent on, which we make possible, and what the quality of those relationships is ✅ Food systems are key to our identity. Food is personal. As food systems leaders we can ask ourselves what identity we are reinforcing with what we do, and why. What stories can we tell about the food systems we are part of, and are these the narratives we want to take forward? ✅ Food is part of our daily practice. Every day food is part of our lives. As food systems leaders, we are always working on meaningful stuff. Every day we have the opportunity to rethink how we nurture, connect and build our stories. Never-ending opportunity, never-ending value. Have a read and share your insights https://lnkd.in/dMuxufSb Wasafiri

Are we setting ourselves up for failure with isolated thinking and departmental silos? Dive in to our BIG Business Leaders' Forum feature: https://bit.ly/3VG6uWE #businessleadersforum #foodproduction #foodtrends #businessnews

Are you delegating tasks or assigning responsibility? 🤔 Simon Sinek explains why true leadership is about empowering your team by giving them ownership—not just a to-do list. 💡 This simple shift can build trust, accountability, and initiative within your organization. A must-read for anyone looking to inspire their team to achieve more. Check it out here: https://lnkd.in/gYUcGs4k. #LeadershipTips #Empowerment #SimonSinek #KairosDigital

“Skillful network leaders practicing in the food system space focus on advancing the entire system, with all of its moving, interconnected parts. They honor each individual’s and organization’s challenges and goals, while cultivating their ability to consistently see and value ‘the big picture’ at the same time. They facilitate connection, conversation, and relationship-building. They craft invitations and create spaces where organizational leaders can take a breath, share challenges and opportunities without judgment, listen to new ideas, and gain the vision they need to do their jobs better. This is the demanding work of participatory democracy, focused on the food system. “ - Nessa Richman https://lnkd.in/ekMcj-2e

𝐼𝑡’𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑘𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑠 𝑦𝑜𝑢. Is one (and there are many!) memorable quote from Ted Lasso. In his half-time pep talk with the team, he shares that he really dislikes this quote. And, that in fact, it’s the lack of hope that will get you in the end. I love this. But, I would want to add one additional insight to balance this concept out that I recently was reminded of by Farmer Kevin, culinary farmer at The Inn at Bay Fortune in PEI. Farmer Kevin is responsible for the regenerative farm at the Inn, and an important member of the culinary team. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞: 𝐇𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. And, here are my two takeways: >> Yes, make sure that you have the hope that energizes you, but be clear of what your aim, goal, or purpose (intention) is. >>Once you have that intention defined, determine the steps (small or big) that you need to take to fulfill that intention. And, commit. Farmer Kevin, reminded us of this on that day by sharing his intentions of having a regenerative farm-to-table practice that delivered quality products to his culinary team, and ultimately to people like us to enjoy in a feast. He’ll plant 18 different varieties of cherry tomatoes in a test garden to than arrive at the 2-3 that will fulfill the Inn’s mission. He hopes that one of them will work, but stacks the odds in his favour (and that of his intention) by researching and testing. This is a great reminder that what we want and need can be fulfilled by intention and fuelled by our hope. #leadership #results #hope #makeshifthappen

Charleston, SC - A prominent chef in Spain is domesticating a major food source from seagrasses - a new kind of "rice" - that can help feed an increasingly hungry world. This is the stuff of true leadership. More from the "Now That's a Leader" series on my "This Moment" blog below. #leadership #leadershipdevelopment #leaders #hunger #food

🔥☘️ Byrning Platform #22 | Watermelons & Avocados ☘️🔥 Product Leadership isn’t just about showing your board that your metrics are green—it’s about ensuring those green lights reflect real progress, not hidden risks. Too often, we celebrate metrics that look great on the surface but fail to reveal what’s beneath. Sound familiar? In my latest article, I dive into the metaphor of product watermelons vs. avocados to explore how leaders can cultivate transparency, trust, and resilience in their teams. Rather than growing watermelons—green on the outside but red in the middle—we’ll learn to harvest avocados. For products, the outer layer of the avocado symbolizes the current performance metrics that reflect user outcomes today. The green interior represents leading indicators, which signal future performance and guide proactive decision-making. At the core lies the seed, a powerful insight derived from user discovery that fuels the product team’s journey toward business outcomes. Avocados aren’t just a superfood for your body; they’re a superfood for your business. Here’s what you’ll take away: 🍉 The stark contrast between watermelons (superficial success) and avocados (true alignment and trust). 🥑 How vanity metrics can mislead teams and why leading indicators are the key to real progress. 🛠️ Practical strategies for fostering a culture of courage, confidence, and trust in your organization. If you’re ready to trade quick wins for sustainable success and build a team that’s truly aligned, this is for you. 👉 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gNjKsUex #Leadership #Transparency #TeamAlignment #MetricsMatter #OrganizationalCulture

In preparation of my overly ambitious new year resolutions, I wanted to share a couple of exciting innovations that provide BFY options that meet my complicated need for caffeine (but not too much) and adding fiber to my protein shake. Are you planning your new year resolutions????? #NewYearResolutions #Innovations #leadership #executivesearch

Unlocking leadership insights in the dynamic world of Food & Beverage with Marianna Carbonari. 🌐 Read more about her perspective on navigating the industry's challenges and driving success. https://bit.ly/3HQjuCv #Leadership #FoodIndustry #Innovation #BusinessInsights