Marcus Oldham program to nurture agriculture's future leaders

Marcus Oldham Centre for the Study of Agribusiness director David Cornish said the agriculture industry was no different; it was dependent on strong leaders to ensure its success.

Mr Cornish said as the country headed towards another federal election, trust in corporations, governments and institutions was continuing to erode as the general population became disenchanted with the style of leadership being presented to them.

He said there was clear evidence in hundreds of research papers that leaders could and did make a difference.

"So, then the invariable question arises, are leaders born or made?" he said.

"The simple answer to this is that 'I haven't met a leader who wasn't born yet', but the real question that should be asked is, is leadership an observable pattern of practices, behaviours and skill set that can be learned, honest and enhanced?"

He said he would argue that it could be, and that the Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Program (MORLP) was the place to do so.

The program has been running since 1992, and has seen about 800 people graduate in that time.

The week-long course, run at the college in Geelong, aims to develop participants' leadership, communication and planning skills.

"The MORLP course provides you with the foundation to understand what those practices, behaviours and skills are and provide you with the tools that can ensure you can achieve your leadership potential," he said.

"The course is designed around the fact that most of the participants that are involved in agriculture are very hands-on and require practical, ready to use tools that can enhance their current workplace or community."

He said participants could expect to gain an appreciation of the demands of leadership within the current agribusiness environment, an awareness of the fundamental skills, behaviours and practices of successful leadership, an understanding of their own strengths and developmental needs, and a network of industry contacts.

"The MORLP provides you with a tailored delivery that allows aspiring ag leaders to really focus on what they need to do to achieve their potential and make a difference," he said.

This year, the course will run from Sunday, July 7 to Friday, July 12, and there is still time to enrol.

The MORLP has given Lee McNab an increased understanding of the leadership and communication skills he needs to apply on a daily basis as the general manager of BR&C Agents, Swan Hill.

"Good leadership includes consultation, collaboration, a good decision-making process and an adherence to the agreed direction, but it's also having the flexibility to change," Mr McNab said.

"Leadership is also about supporting your staff, being humble and honest and making sure people are recognised for their achievements."

Mr McNab is currently responsible for 32 staff who work across BR&C Agents' extensive range of agribusiness services which include agronomy, livestock, real estate, rural merchandise, water broking, financial advice and insurance.

He was nominated for the course by Ruralco, which is a joint owner of BR&C Agents, and completed the week-long program in 2017.

"I was probably a little bit unique as I am in my mid 40s and older than most of the other applicants," he said.

"I found the human resources part of the program most valuable to my role, in terms of identifying and working out personality traits and types, and how they best work in different operations.

"It was interesting to go back and look at my own staff; certainly the best teams we have are the ones with the right mix of complementary strengths.

"The friendships made with such a diverse range of people in agribusiness was also a huge benefit."

Although Sophia Hoffenberg had plenty of hands-on practical experience in agriculture, she came away from the MORLP with a greater appreciation of what it takes to be a successful industry leader.

Growing up on her parents' cattle property near Longreach, Qld, the 25 year-old has spent time working overseas, studied business and international tourism at university and jillarooed in the NT, before being employed as a communications coordinator for the NSW Department of Primary Industries, based at Orange, NSW.

In 2018, Ms Hoffenberg had the opportunity to participate in the leadership program, as part of the Graduate Certificate in Agribusiness she was completing through Marcus Oldham.

"I think I went into the program a bit unknowing as I'd never really experienced much formal training in leadership like that before," she said.

"The intensive style of the course and the networks and relationships you build with the other participants throughout the week was really valuable.

"I got to spend a week with a group of like-minded, strong members of the agricultural community doing similar things to me, learning under a fantastic group of facilitators and you come away with new knowledge, new skills and a new approach."

She said the learning outcomes from the program have definitely enhanced her workplace communication, decision-making and problem-solving skills.

"I work across communication strategy and digital platforms, it is varied work, in one day I could be making videos with government researchers, then writing talking points for the Minister of Agriculture," she said.

"I'm not necessarily in a leadership position currently but it has given me the tools to be able to understand and improve my skills.

"I think leadership is all about inspiring others to achieve a vision together.

"Obviously there are a range of skills, knowledge and experience that goes into that but if you take ownership of a project and get everyone else to believe in you and come with you, you're already there."

Ms Hoffenberg also enjoyed the diversity of the participants in the program, who came from a range of geographical areas and agri-related occupations.

"The facilitators, lecturers and keynote speakers were also a really diverse set of people with different understandings of leadership, so you didn't walk away thinking one thing, you left with a whole range of different learning experiences," she said.

"You can't do the Marcus Oldham program and not take something away from it that you then apply in your work and personal life."