TUCKER, Ga. – “Leaders work with their teams effectively to create something that no one person can do alone. Most importantly, they understand that leadership is all about being F.I.T. (Fully Integrated Teams). It’s important to understand that a manager manages people; but a leader has followers who look up to them to make effective decisions,” Jim Leighton, president of Perdue Food Products told a group of women leaders at USPOULTRY’S 2012 Women’s Leadership Conference in Destin, Florida. As part of his presentation on Building Effective and Diverse Teams, Leighton stated that if we go through our professional lives without knowing our “Why?” we are doing a great disservice to ourselves. Once we understand why we do what we do, that passion can change everything and give a whole new meaning to how far we can go.
Transformational leaders, as well as the teams that support and contribute to the growth of the organization, was the emerging topic at this year’s seminar. “A transformational leader does not wait for others to do what they can do themselves. They don’t see what needs to be done as someone else’s responsibility. They also recognize opportunities and support others goals even when they do not agree with them,” stated Dr. Carolyn Hines, President of C.W. Hines & Associates in her presentation on Finding Your DIVA in Leadership. Dr. Hines also discussed how transformational leaders build their team, as well as take responsibility for their successes and failures.
When it comes to cultivating exceptional teams, mentorship in an organization - formal or informal - is a good way for employees to gain continuous improvements in their professional development. In the presentation, The Mentor and the Mentee: How Have You Progressed?, guest panelists, Maggie Huie, Perdue Farms; Barbara Mistarz, Wayne Farms; and Stacy Neill, MBA Poultry – Smart Chicken, discussed some of the unique ways being a mentor or a mentee has shaped and influenced them. “Mentormania is going on right now in organizations. A mentorship does not have to be formal. Anyone can be a mentor for you in different ways,” affirmed Mistarz.
Other presentations included Time of Your Life: Creating Extra Time from Thin Air Without Smoke, Mirrors, or Camera Tricks!; Health and Nutrition Matters Too; and Climbing The Ladder . . . Cultivating Good Leaders and Good Teams.
U.S. Poultry & Egg Association is an all-feather organization representing the complete spectrum of today’s poultry industry, with a focus on progressively serving member companies through research, education, communication, and technical assistance. Founded in 1947, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association is based in Tucker, GA.