Leading Like a Farmer: Cultivating a Thriving Team Culture

It was nearly a year ago at a gathering of business leaders when an organic farmer began sharing the lessons he’d learned on his farm and from his father. As he spoke, he mentioned his brother, whom he referred to as a “master cultivator.” The phrase immediately caught my attention, resonating deeply, though I wasn’t entirely sure why at the time.

The idea of a master cultivator lingered with me long after that conversation. It wasn’t until months later, during a visit to their farm, that I began to understand the true weight of those words.

Organic farming, as I learned, is an art form of its own—one that demands a different kind of mastery. Unlike conventional farming, where chemicals can be used to eradicate weeds and pests, organic farmers must navigate these challenges with intentionality and precision.

There’s no room for overwhelming intensity; instead, it’s about being proactive and thoughtful, allowing young, tender plants to take root and helping mature ones reach their full potential.

As I listened, it struck me how similar this process is to leadership. Just as the farmer must cultivate his crops with care, so too leaders must cultivate their teams. It’s not about quick fixes or aggressive tactics but about fostering growth in a way that’s sustainable and nurturing. Here are three key ways that you can learn from a farmer and that can help you become a master cultivator of your people:

1. Consistency

Cultivating and dealing with weeds isn’t a one-time activity. Similarly, cultivating a healthy culture isn’t achieved through onboarding, meetings, or workshops alone. It’s an ongoing process that requires consistent effort. Just as a farmer consistently tends to the fields, leaders must consistently nurture their teams, reinforcing values and expectations every day.

Action Step: Identify one or two daily or weekly rituals that reinforce your team’s values and goals. Whether it’s a brief morning check-in or a weekly review, how do you make consistency a non-negotiable part of your leadership routine?

2. Engagement

In farming, the approach to dealing with challenges changes as the plants grow. Protecting delicate young plants is much different than removing a 2-foot weed towering over a mature plant. As a leader, becoming a master cultivator means engaging with your team members in different ways at different stages of their journey. Tailor your approach to their specific needs, offering support, guidance, and challenges that align with their growth.

Action Step: Schedule regular one-on-one meetings with team members to discuss their progress and challenges. Using a team member’s role clarity gives you a simple way to serve them in their current stage of development–understanding that sometimes you’ll need to be more hands-on, and other times, give them space to grow. .

3. Experience

One of the biggest insights about being a master cultivator is that it’s not just about what you learn in school or read in a book. It’s about lived experience—working specific fields, knowing the seeds being planted, and understanding the weather conditions. As a leader, your experience in navigating challenges, understanding your team’s dynamics, and knowing when to intervene or step back is invaluable. Embrace this experience and let it guide your cultivation efforts.

Action Step: Reflect on a challenging situation you’ve navigated in the past. What did you learn from it, and how can that experience inform your current leadership decisions? Share these insights with your team to help them learn and grow from your experience.

Closing Thoughts

It’s easy for “culture” to remain a vague idea, especially when compared to the tangible reality of a farmer who can see the fields, seeds, and weeds. But just as a farmer commits to creating the right conditions for a successful harvest, your commitment to creating clarity around vision, roles, and goals gives you a roadmap for cultivating a culture that brings those to life.

As you strive to become a master cultivator in your leadership, remember that it’s about consistency, engagement, and the wisdom gained through experience. These elements, along with actionable steps, will help you nurture a thriving team and achieve your vision.