As the farm’s leader, dealing with problems might not necessarily be your favorite thing to spend time on. But working to actively solve problems and issues inside your operation can be one of the best ways you spend your time.

Here’s why. You have the opportunity to improve your operation when you dig into a problem – especially when it’s a complex issue that’s costing your farm profit or efficiency. Being the chief problem-solver for your operation can go a long way toward improving and building a professional farm.

Problem solvers

Doing this also demonstrates to others on the farm the skills necessary to become better problem-solvers on their own, which helps improve the farm as a whole. There can be a ripple effect from the leader’s problem-solving efforts out to everyone else, especially if problem-solving skills are taught intentionally.

Here’s the key when it comes to problem-solving inside your operation: Keep digging deeper. Oftentimes, the first thing we think is causing the issue actually contains much deeper root causes – sometimes several “layers” down.

The most complex problems inside your operation will often require the most digging. The first cause that we as leaders come across is very often not the root cause – but leaders might be tempted to stop investigating after uncovering that first layer.

Tips for digging

Here are a few tips to implement to help you dig deeper when dealing with a complex problem in your operation.

How are you navigating this market?

This summer, farmers have found that getting some third-party perspective from our market advisors has helped ease their minds. The advisors help farmer clients with planning and execution around marketing decisions and help keep them up to speed on the current rapidly-changing grain market situation – and how it impacts their operation.

Get a free two-week trial of our marketing information service (MarketView Basic). Your free trial includes regular audio and video updates, technical analysis, recommendations and more. Learn more about our market advisor programs and offerings at www.waterstreetag.com.