REAL Leaders: Guest Blogger Annie Oakley-Huber

Leaders are curious. Leaders have vision. Leaders are effective communicators. Leaders understand the wisdom is in the crowd. Leaders come in all shapes and sizes. As I reviewed my takeaway notes from the SD Farmer’s Union REAL program, these were statements that had left a lasting impression on me.

The material from our sessions weren’t the only items of impact; I was also able to meet a wonderful group of individuals who I’m proud to have added to my “team”. REAL is a rural leadership program sponsored by the SD Farmer’s Union, in which a class of professionals come together to better themselves through the course of meetings around the state. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know my fellow classmates, our speakers, and the SDFU staff. It’s exciting to see a diverse group come together for the common goal of bettering ourselves, our communities, our workplaces, and the lives of those around us.

Our class was comprised of a variety of talents, ages, leadership levels, and personality types. From producers to youth advisors, to entrepreneurs to agronomists, we were able to discover the strengths each one of us bring to our rural areas. 

Leaders are curious– they are curious about their surroundings, they are curious about others, and they are curious about themselves. Leaders aren’t afraid to ask questions they don’t know the answer to. Good leaders go beyond their title and their pride to discover the knowledge that surrounds them. 

Leaders also understand that the wisdom is the in the crowd and does not lie within one individual or personality type. They know that by involving their team, leveraging diversity, and harvesting the talents of each member it results in a much more powerful collaboration than any one individual can create. 

Leaders are effective communicators. They are nimble enough to work with all personality types, and are punctual in sending out a clear message to those they interact with. 

Leaders have vision. It is through their curiosity, their network of people, and their ability to effectively communicate that they are able to collaborate for success. 

Leaders come in all shapes and sizes. Contrary to the common misconception that leaders are the dominant individuals in a group, leaders are found in a variety of personality types. There is no cookie cutter mold for a leader.

Whether you’re looking to strengthen your team, take your community involvement to the next level, or advance yourself professionally the REAL program has something to offer the leader in us all. Take the opportunity to expand your network and learn from those around you- you’ll be surprised at what they can teach you about yourself!   Annie Oakley- HuberHURLEY & ASSOCIATES of Huron 2015-2016 REAL Class

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Last Modified: 03/21/2016 3:36:05 pm MDT