YOUR LEVY AT WORK
LEADERS LOVING FRESH START AFTER HORTNZ BOOST Words and photo by Jamie Troughton
2020 HortNZ Leadership Programme in front of Parliament
Every Monday, Josh Webster picks his kids up from preschool, cooks them dinner and puts them to bed. A year ago, this small pleasure would have been out of the question for the harvest manager, who was immersed in long days growing broccoli, lettuce and silverbeet, with the concept of life-balance just a wistful dream. That dream became a reality though for Josh, who was born and raised in Pukekohe, after taking part in the 2020 HortNZ Leadership Programme. Combined over three phases – five days at Lincoln, a presentation project based from home and three days in Wellington – the programme features a range of guest speakers and topics. The Leadership Programme develops tangible leadership skills for horticulture such as strategic planning, problem solving, presenting and working with some of those big industry issues such as the labour shortage and water allocation, yet also addresses less tangible aspects around leading other people and also self-leadership. This includes maintaining resilience. The lessons learned have already made a tangible difference, not only in Josh Webster’s life but also in that of his wife Janelle and kids Zoe and Patrick.
12 NZGROWER : JUNE 2021
“I used to over-commit, instead of having faith in the abilities of my staff to rise to the occasion when the pressure came on, plus I also didn’t want to burden them with extra load,” Josh explains. “Now I work 10 hours a day on average, I’ve stood back from the “tools” more and stepped up more as a leader. I needed to recognise and appreciate more what was actually filling my cup and what was drawing from it. Long hours, work pressures and stresses need to be balanced with the things and people that recharge your batteries for your efforts to be sustainable.” Now in its 19th year, the programme – led by Sue Pickering of Develop Ltd and course facilitators Patrick Aldwell, Tony Zwart and Ian Tarbotton, explores leadership styles, learning preferences and how to ‘lead yourself’. This resonated particularly strongly with Jan Buter, who works in the pipfruit team at Turners and Growers in Hawke's Bay. He found the programme has equipped him with a number of new tools. “For example, the need to train, trust and then delegate to workmates and staff,” Jan says. “Holding up the mirror for others and not solving everyone else’s problems also gives that individual the opportunity to grow their confidence in their own knowledge. Lastly, involving others in the decision making – this brings buy-in and support for when change needs to occur.”
