Power of Understanding Point of View Can Be Big Opportunity for Farmers
March 15, 2023 We live in divided times. Politically, we listen to only our side’s news sources and get confused when extended family brings up points we’ve never heard of during the holidays. Many of us dismiss the others’ views as idealistic or misguided, a subtle lack of respect that drives a wedge into the family dynamics.
A newer source of division is resulting from more than a quarter of the U.S. employees working remotely. Traditionally, work is the one place we could mix with those unlike ourselves in a meaningful way. We’d learn to respect (or not) all types of people with a full range of viewpoints. Now, many Americans have little to no platform to stretch our perspectives or challenge how we see the world.
As an editor, I grapple with point-of-view (POV) on a daily basis. Beyond the more technical aspects of POV in grammar, I try to see things from your eyes to ensure what we publish meets our goals of helping you be a better grower. How does the research I’m reviewing affect you? Or is a grower I’m visiting doing something you would want to discuss with your own team?
Understanding how others think can be a powerful business tool. A few years ago, I interviewed a negotiator for frozen potatoes on behalf of Potatoes USA. He said one of his secret weapons in negotiating prices was a former retailer he had on his side. This person understood the retail business model and the pressures that retailers face.
By understanding what motivated the other side, the negotiator had better success in reaching an agreement where everyone felt like they won.
At its heart, striving to see work or life through others’ eyes is a form of respect. By doing so, you’re acknowledging that another person, other than yourself, has an important role to play.
Let’s look at how that could play out at your farm. Are you being driven crazy by the irrigation team not following procedures? You could be so focused on the standards you put in place that you miss what they are experiencing. If you try to find out why they’re not following procedures, you’ll learn a lot.
It could be they’re grappling with an issue not considered in the standard procedures that leads you to rework the standards or retrain the team on why the procedure exists. Or it could be the personnel problem you think it is, but it’s mainly one person disrupting the unit.
Take time today to look at problems you’re having with fresh eyes. Recruit the opinions of those who have knowledge on the issue. You may find running a farm is just a bit easier than yesterday.
Oh, One More Thing
In our cover story profile of JV Smith Companies, we had many more images of the farm than we had space to print. Here are three more photos for you to enjoy!
JV Smith Companies treats all water destined for overhead sprinklers. This photo gives you perspective of just how much acreage (and water volume) that can involve.
Image courtesy of JV Smith Companies
Employee training with clear communication, incentives, and discipline where necessary is key to a successful food safety program. Here JV Smith’s Food Safety Director Fatima Corona talks with crew members.
Photo by Rosa Bevington
Autoweeder technology keeps advancing. JV Smith Companies is experimenting with one of the most recent innovations — using lasers to kill weeds. Lasers can kill weeds to within a half inch of a crop without damaging the keeper plant.
Photo by Rosa Bevington
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