Josh Hilbrands: Navigating Leadership Transitions in Ag

The Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast

In this episode, Mark Jewell welcomes Josh Hilbrands, the new CEO of AgPlus in southwest Minnesota. With over two decades of co-op experience, Josh dives into the importance of intentional leadership, culture-building, and navigating the challenges of leading an organization post-merger. He shares his approach to fostering accountability, unifying teams, and keeping a people-first focus while leading change with trust and clarity.

Key Takeaways:

• Defining Intentional Leadership:
• For Josh, intentionality means consistency, accountability, and following through on commitments.
• Being intentional ensures alignment between goals, execution, and team dynamics.
• Challenges and Surprises in Stepping Up as CEO:
• Biggest learning curves: managing insurance, banking, and deeper financial oversight.
• The pleasant surprise: incredibly low turnover (2%) and a culture of dedicated, long-tenured employees.
• Culture and Accountability:
• People and culture are the differentiators in any business. AgPlus prioritizes inclusion, feedback, and trust.
• Moving from "good to great" requires clear accountability and consistent processes across all divisions.
• Managing Post-Merger Dynamics:
• Mergers bring unique challenges, including identity crises and lingering competition among legacy teams.
• Intentional change management focuses on fostering unity, removing friction, and aligning teams under a shared vision.
• The Role of Accountability in Unity:
• Employees often ask for accountability because it creates clarity, consistency, and fairness.
• Addressing friction and aligning standards helps teams operate more efficiently and with greater trust.

Notable Quotes:

• “People don’t leave companies, they leave people. Culture and leadership matter.” – Josh Hilbrands
• “All the times in life I’ve been the most resentful are because of the times I’ve been the least intentional.” – Mark Jewell
• “When we all agree on the plan, it’s hard to argue with the direction. Stick to the plan and execute.” – Josh Hilbrands
• “Change is hard, but it’s necessary. Intentionality is how we move from friction to unity.” – Mark Jewell

Practical Applications for Leaders:

1. Create Accountability with Intention:

• Set clear goals and hold teams accountable to ensure consistent progress.
• Build a culture where feedback is valued and employees feel part of the solution.

1. Focus on Unity During Change:

• Remove legacy barriers and create a shared vision post-merger or during transitions.
• Communicate clearly and align teams under a single identity.

1. Trust and Listen to Your Team:

• Leadership thrives when employees feel seen, heard, and involved in decision-making processes.

1. Balance Action with Patience:

• Leaders must slow down, analyze challenges, and avoid reactive decision-making to make informed, intentional moves.

Leadership is a journey—let’s make it an intentional one.