More than a buzzword, Next Gen, a shortened version of the Next Generation, is real as Millennials and Gen Z’s grow to be the largest group of the U.S. population. While many in the agricultural sector wonder who will make up the next generation of farmers, another legitimate question is who will make up the next generation of industry professionals. And, perhaps more importantly, what qualities do they need to possess?
According to Dave Thorbahn, president and chief executive officer of Select Sires Inc., there is a long list of qualities he and his team look for when it comes to hiring new employees, including:
- A passion for the dairy and beef industry.
- Technically trained to work with professional dairies of any size.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to utilize data to make decisions.
- The ability to work in teams to solve problems and execute plans.
- Strong business training to turn technical problems into analyzing profit outcomes.
- Strong interpersonal skills to share those improvements with dairy producers.
- Alignment to our core values and a desire to bring our organizational mission to life.
“They must have a willingness to anticipate the dairy producer’s future needs,” he says. “Henry Ford’s quote comes to mind, ‘If I would have listened to the customer, I would have needed a faster horse.’”
According to Jack Haak, chief people officer at Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), they look at people who are adaptable because the pace of change continues to accelerate.
“It’s important for our team members to be able to adapt and embrace new processes and technologies,” he says. “Additionally, being tech savvy is really important. In today’s workplace, employees should be comfortable using a variety of digital tools and platforms and be able to adapt to new technologies as they emerge. “
Haak also says a valuable trait in today’s day and age is resiliency and the ability to bounce back from setbacks and maintain a positive attitude.
“I also think it’s important for Next Gen employees to have a mindset for continuous learning,” he says. “Those individuals who are curious and who are looking for ways to innovate and grow and not satisfied with the status quo will do well in this industry.”
Haak’s advice to future employees includes:
- Don’t be afraid of hard work. Those projects and assignments that are challenging, are often the most rewarding in the end.
- Use every opportunity to learn and gain knowledge through experiences. While formal training and professional development are valuable, there are a lot of in-the-moment, everyday opportunities in your career to learn and grow, and you should embrace them all.
- Take the time to connect to the broader purpose of dairy. Our industry offers a significant, meaningful purpose in helping to feed and nourish people around the world.
Fear of Failure
Xavier Drake, strategic marketing manager with Lely North America, says that as he reflects over the last few years, the only thing that has remained constant is change.
“Being able to be adaptable and able to learn from others around you is a crucial skill to possess,” he says.
Chad Huyser, president & managing director of Lely North America, adds that understanding that many situations are not ‘black or white’ but require discernment, problem-solving and the ability to work across teams or organizations is key.
Drake recommends seeking out mentorship opportunities to support your decision-making processes and personal growth is always beneficial.
“Finding someone who is successful within your field – whether that be on farm practices or business settings – and buying them a cup of coffee can offer the opportunity to ask questions, solidify your perspective on things or allow you to radically rethink how you’re approaching a situation based on their feedback,” he says. “This type of relationship can allow you the opportunity to grow and adjust in a relatively safe setting.
Drake’s advice for Next Gen is not to allow the fear of failure to cripple you from making a decision and executing at the end of the day.
“My all-time favorite quote comes from a gentleman by the name of Ed Catmull who was the former president of Pixar. I had the opportunity to hear Ed’s keynote at an event and he stated, ‘Failure is an inevitable consequence of trying something new, and as such, should be seen as valuable. For without it, we’d have no originality,’” he shares.
The key characteristic that Huyser looks for when hiring employees is cultural fit and core values aligned with the company.
“We can teach and develop everything else,” he says.
