Our CEO, Imran Raza, has over three decades of dedicated experience in accountancy and two decades in software innovation and has always served the rural community. In this article he explores the parallels when it comes to managing your people.
In the world of farming, pressure is an constant as the changing seasons. Whether it’s the rush of harvest or calving time or the anxiety of uncertain weather, farmers are well-acquainted with the challenges of managing people under pressure. Interestingly, this experience isn’t unique to agriculture. Both the accounting profession I come from and the startup world I joined a few years ago face similar cycles of intense pressure, offering me valuable insights to improve my management skills that I hope are also helpful for farmers wanting the same.
Peak Seasons and High Stakes Decisions
Just as farmers face the critical harvest/calving periods, accountants brace themselves for tax season, and startups often encounter make-or-break sales negotiations. During these peak times, I’ve navigated tight deadlines, long hours, and high-stakes decisions that can significantly impact the future of our operations.
In farming, the harvest window is often narrow, requiring all hands-on deck to bring in crops before weather conditions change. And calves are just going to be born when they’re born! Similarly, accountants work tirelessly to meet tax filing deadlines, often putting in 60-80-hour weeks. At AgriSmart, as we’ve grown so rapidly, we’ve sometimes found ourselves in a frenzy of activity leading up to a product launch or customer pitch, with teams working around the clock to get it right.
Managing Stress and Maintaining Morale
During these intense periods, I believe that effective leaders focus on:
- Clear Communication: Keeping team members informed about goals, progress, and challenges helps reduce uncertainty and stress.
- Prioritisation: Identifying the most critical tasks and allocating resources accordingly ensures that essential work gets done.
- Team Support: Providing adequate breaks, meals, and support helps maintain morale and prevent burnout.
The Importance of Off-Peak Planning
For all of us, the ability to use slower periods effectively is crucial. Farmers often use winter months for equipment maintenance, embedding new technologies/processes and planning. Accountants focus on client relationship building and professional development during our off season. Tech startups might use periods between campaigns or launches to refine the product or explore new market opportunities. This downtime is invaluable for:
- Reviewing past performance and identifying areas for improvement.
- Investing in team training and skill development.
- Building resilience for future high-pressure periods.
Adapting to Unpredictability
While peak seasons may be somewhat predictable, all three industries must also contend with unexpected challenges. Farmers face sudden weather changes, accountants deal with last-minute regulatory updates, and startups navigate rapidly shifting market conditions. I’m striving to refine my ability to adapt quickly and maintain composure under pressure – I believe that is a hallmark of successful leaders in these fields.
Conclusions and Key Learnings
Pressure is Universal: The experience of managing under pressure is not unique to farming. By recognising the similarities with other industries, farmers can draw on a broader pool of management strategies and should feel less isolated in their challenges.
Balance is Key: Effective management during high-pressure periods requires a delicate balance between pushing for results and supporting team well-being. Leaders who can strike this balance are more likely to maintain productivity without burning out their teams.
Preparation Pays Off: The most successful managers in farming, accounting, and startups are those who use off-peak periods strategically. Investing in planning, technology to streamline admin and remove friction, training, and team building during quieter times can significantly reduce stress and improve performance when the pressure is on.
By applying these learnings, we can all enhance our ability to lead effectively through the ups and downs of our professional lives, creating more resilient and successful operations in the process.
Imran Raza, CEO and founder of AgriSmart, accountant and rural advocate
