Thursday Thoughts... Celebrating Our Wins

Several members of the leadership team spent time on Tuesday working through the Franklin Covey 4 Essential Laws of Leadership facilitated by RJ Gray of the Oklahoma Ag Coop Council with the graduating class of the inaugural A.C.E. cohort. One of the issues that was revealed that day was a result of how driven the entire Ag Partners Cooperative team is. Often, we are so driven to continually improve that we breeze past our victories, big and small, focusing instead on what could have been better. What hit me is that while a relentless pursuit of excellence is commendable, skipping the success of milestones is a mistake.

For Ag Partners, last year was nothing short of extraordinary. We achieved record earnings and returned record patronage, a testament to the hard work and dedication of every team member.

We've seen our Globally Responsible Production program become a huge success that has been accepted as one of the industry’s leading platforms.

Another highlight of the year was becoming the Official Agricultural Cooperative of the Kansas City Royals , marked by a great turnout for the inaugural Ag Night at the K. The event was more than a celebration; it was a statement of our role and importance to the wider community. Agriculture matters and the producers are the heroes of food and fuel.

Our infrastructural achievements, like the state-of-the-art Hiawatha Distribution Center and the fantastic new grain facilities in Wamego and Tarkio, mark significant milestones. They're not just buildings and machinery; they're the physical embodiment of our growth and our future potential.

The training I sat in during the final training of the first A.C.E. (Achieving Cooperative Excellence) program was another significant step forward. Investing in the professional and personal development of our team underscores our belief in our people – the heart of Ag Partners.

This week's discussion hit me about how essential it is to recognize that our focus on what's next should not overshadow the appreciation of our journey. Our accomplishments are not mere checkpoints but stories of our resilience, innovation, and community.

This year let’s plan to recalibrate our approach. While we should always strive for better, let's also make it a point to celebrate our achievements. Let's take the time to appreciate the hard work and success of our journey.

That leads me to this week’s challenge… Take a moment to reflect on your personal and professional wins this year. How have these successes shaped you and your role in your business and life? Share your story with a colleague, celebrate together, and let's foster a culture that not only drives toward success but also celebrates the wins along the way.

I’m thankful that you were willing to go to work today, that you took the time to read this, and for being a part of what makes the world wonderful!?

Have an amazing day!?