Numbers-driven. The farmers who run their operations by the numbers tend to have more clarity and peace of mind when they make decisions in uncertain situations. They use data, projections, metrics and other financial information and that often helps take some of the emotion out of the decision-making process. Best of all, when using data, it takes some of the pressure off when making the decision: there’s information to point to, rather than feeling like the decision is being pulled out of the air.

Adaptable. Taking a mindset of flexibility and adaptability when it comes to decisions surrounded by uncertainty is key. Doing this helps the farm leader be more responsive to changing conditions, scenarios or situations both within their operation and the factors outside of it that impact their operation. The more quickly a farm leader and operation can adapt, the better advantage they often have.

Forward-looking. Running the operation with an eye to what’s coming up next and working to anticipate is an important mindset to work on. These farmers practice thinking about the future and the implications for their farms. They try to stay one step ahead in their thinking and that can help keep their farms competitive.

A learner. Farm leaders who take a mindset that they can always continue learning something new also typically have a competitive advantage over others. They seek out new ideas and new ways of doing things with an eye to determining whether those ideas are a good fit for their operation. This keeps the operation moving forward and evolving to meet new challenges and scenarios in today’s ag operating environment. One learning opportunity with a variety of speakers and topics you might consider is the Farm Futures Business Summit on June 16-17 – where I’ll be presenting a session on open book management.