YORKON - When operating any business, the family farm included, relationships are critical.
That was one of the messages those attending a FCC Young Farmer Summit in Yorkton Wednesday heard.
“I want you to treat your relationships on your farm as just as important as your bottom line,” said speaker Danielle Wildfong, adding that is not a new idea, suggesting “relationships have long been the bottom line.”
Wildfong, a professional advisor, told the producers attending that relationships are the new bottom line on their farms, and those relationships need to be constantly worked on.
Too often people simply fail to communicate in such a way that they don’t build the relationships they should whether with family, or staff.
“I don’t know why people lead with fear … but it doesn’t help you,” said Wildfong, adding fear can create rifts and misunderstandings which can linger.
It’s a situation where you need to build positive relationships as a foundation.
“You have the opportunity every day when you get up to decide how you will treat other people,” said Wildfong.
To be successful the decision must be to treat people with love and respect, trust and honesty.
Wildfong said of course relationships need work, but people can be better dealing with them if they try.
“I want you to believe you can make changes for the better,” she said, adding it is a case of mindset.
In that respect it helps to visualize, suggesting those attending close their eyes to “think about who you are today”, and then about who they want to become and how they will get there.
How one gets to where they want to be will mean having a willingness to “evolve and adapt.”
In that regard Wildfong suggested attending the meeting itself was a positive step indicating a willingness to “better yourself” through continuing education.”
In the end though relationships are built through good communication.
“Sixty per cent of family enterprise failures are caused by lack of communication,” said Wildfong.
With communication there needs to be transparency and honesty for it to work, said Wildfong, adding that will help solve conflicts and build the key relationships.
If the communication isn’t there it can lead to resentment, sometimes of others, but often of oneself because you haven’t stood up for what you need, she said.
So be sure to talk on the farm.
“Everybody needs to feel appreciated. Deep down it’s what everybody needs,” said Wildfong.
So start things by having discussions.
“If you get the foundation right you’re good to go to work through tough stuff,” she said. “. . . Trust is built on communication.”
