Corporate Leadership Lesson can be Learned from “FARMER” Is the story of my grandfather and corporate lesson learned from him Farming provides a wealth of life lessons, and farmers are the lead characters. I have spent my entire career in professional services, however with roots from the farmer family and lessons learned from Grandfather a great leader and professional Farmer is captured as part of the paper. Mission/Vision Orientation: Preparation is Essential to Success:- Get your hands dirty – be ready to run to fire in case of crisis:- Don’t shout at Crop:- Share the Fruits of Your Labor :- Store for better day :- My grandfather never attended management lesson or never claimed whatever steps he followed is the only right way to manage the process/business however was convinced with his approach . Although these lessons were gleaned from a life devoted to agriculture, they can apply to all of us as leaders regardless of the industry in which we serve. Lessons are simply a reflection of how he chose to show up every day, and as leaders, we all need to contemplate that . Farmers pay attention to the details. It is not always an innate quality. By sheer hard work, constant research, an investment in time, and consistent habits he or she fosters growth in ways others may not understand. A farmer works harder for better results Last lesson which I have learned from him “Stop and Enjoy success with Family “ We can get so overwhelmed with the “work” of our garden that we forget why we planted it -- FAMILY He was a man of strong values and principles, with passion for his work “Farming” . Mission statement throughout his carrier he focused on three-point – a)Increase Yield, b)Interest of all associated team (farm labor) is protected and c) Increase the family farm Lesson for Corporate team – Have a mission/vision . Mission should not be self-centered its needs to cover all section of business and team associated . “ESAT” brings “CSAT “ Have alternative plans always ensuring the Mission statement is achieved e.g. Increase Yield – different season and type of harvesting season to be planned, study weather forecast and plan the type of planation for season , effort required to get targeted yield , type of seed /fertilizer/pest control , understand the customer requirement (Demand v/s Supply) etc. Most important , once the seed’s are planted , effort around the planned yield cant be change in mid of season . Hence planning at the start of the season is important rather thinking to change the same in mid of the season . Choose the best plants for the soil - plant well harvest right For farming “busy season” starts around 30 days in advance of monsoon season. The season runs from May/June till Jan/Feb. It was clear that there was always work to be done, and much of it centered on rigorous preparation. Getting the field ready for harvesting season, getting the drainage right, planning for crop rotations, getting the preventive maintenance done

1. By Nilesh Jajoo
Farming provides a wealth of life lessons, and farmers are the lead characters. I
have spent my entire career in professional services, however with roots from
the farmer family and lessons learned from Grandfather a great leader and
professional Farmer is captured as part of the paper.
Mission/Vision Orientation: -
He was a man of strong values and principles, with passion for his work “Farming” . Mission statement
throughout his carrier he focused on three-point – a)Increase Yield, b)Interest of all associated team
(farm labor) is protected and c) Increase the family farm
Lesson for Corporate team – Have a mission/vision . Mission should not be self-centered its needs to
cover all section of business and team associated . “ESAT” brings “CSAT “
Have alternative plans always ensuring the Mission statement is achieved e.g. Increase Yield – different
season and type of harvesting season to be planned, study weather forecast and plan the type of
planation for season , effort required to get targeted yield , type of seed /fertilizer/pest control ,
understand the customer requirement (Demand v/s Supply) etc.
Most important , once the seed’s are planted , effort around the planned yield cant be change in mid of
season . Hence planning at the start of the season is important rather thinking to change the same in
mid of the season . Choose the best plants for the soil - plant well harvest right
Corporate Leadership
Lesson can be Learned from
“FARMER”

2. Preparation is Essential to Success:- For farming “busy season” starts around 30 days in
advance of monsoon season. The season runs from May/June till Jan/Feb. It was clear that there was
always work to be done, and much of it centered on rigorous preparation.
Getting the field ready for harvesting season, getting the drainage right, planning for crop rotations,
getting the preventive maintenance done for tractor, truck, etc.
Lesson for Corporate team – Plan your activity – resource /skillset required to meet the season /business
requirement e.g. Automotive industry increase in sales is observed during festival season (Pre 30 days
/During/Post 30 days of Diwali ). Prepare yourselves for the season – Skill set required to manage the
sales, sufficient supply for the spare parts (vendor creation), machine maintenance schedule, required
machine, manufacturing plan, etc.
Most important, the Skill Set required (skilled manpower) is the key requirement to achieve the desired
goal (yield)
Get your hands dirty – be ready to run to fire in case of crisis:-
Many years ago, crops were completely dry and ready to be harvested. One night standing crop in field
caught into fire -- he rushed to the site to help. Knowing the importance of the crop for himself and the
associated team he ran into the fire and saved a huge quantity of the crop from getting impacted.
He would be the first person to say if you don’t know how to swim /don’t know about the water depth
don’t jump in the water. While he was not the firefighter, understanding the impact of the situation he
ran into fire to save the crop.
“Common Sense is not Common”. Be ready to get your hands dirty to learn the job – while you can't be
an expert in each department of the organization however knowing what happens in each department is
important. e.g. As part of the Operations department, understanding around activity performed around
HR Process is mandated/recommended for better performance drive and business management.
Best tool to drive performance for all your team member is “Lead by Example “

3. Don’t shout at Crop:-
Soft-spoken and communicating with respect in common business language was one of the best quality
he had . It ensured work instructions are followed by the team to the “T” . “We are human and human
are bound to make error” is one line which he is used and followed throughout his life – give feedback
and opportunity of improvement is the principle he followed.
Using common business language is the common opportunity observed with most of leaders .
Instruction /Download given needs to given to different level of the staff member in different language .
Instruction given to Manager and instruction given to front line executive cant be the same or same
language -- we needs to understand the skill set , experience of the staff while doing communication
“Listening is the most important part of communication”
Share the Fruits of Your Labor :-
Farmer will always have fruit which he can share .Its not able sharing the tangible things its about
sharing non tangible things as well .
Knowledge , Experience, Insights , Guidance etc. are some of the nontangible fruits that need to be
shared (exchange) . “Support each other” was one of the motto he lived throughout his life and
encouraged others to with the same principle . Invest in future , different type of crops , understanding
market demand , alternative option to earn etc. are something he always believed .
Store for better day :-
After the crops are harvested, there are two options: sell right away or store it. At times, the money may
be needed sooner rather than later. Keep a reserve – funds, personal energy, time, etc. Know the critical
resources, and be ready for the droughts and the long haul .
A good relationship with vendor, partner, staff member associated with the business make the
business operation easy and hassle-free. Back-up planning across each step with buffer is key
steps he followed across during the planning.

4. My grandfather never attended management lesson or never claimed whatever steps he followed is the
only right way to manage the process/business however was convinced with his approach .
Although these lessons were gleaned from a life devoted to agriculture, they can apply to all of us as
leaders regardless of the industry in which we serve. Lessons are simply a reflection of how he chose to
show up every day, and as leaders, we all need to contemplate that .
Farmers pay attention to the details. It is not always an innate quality. By sheer hard work, constant
research, an investment in time, and consistent habits he or she fosters growth in ways others may not
understand. A farmer works harder for better results
Last lesson which I have learned from him “Stop and Enjoy success with Family “
We can get so overwhelmed with the “work” of our garden that we forget why we planted it -- FAMILY
Thank You