Establishing a leadership legacy in the dairy business revolves around fostering the right qualities and cultivating a culture where people are eager to be part of the vision.
In the often challenging and ever-evolving dairy industry, crafting a management team that thrives requires more than just protocols and organization charts. Greg Bethard, CEO of High Plains Ponderosa Dairy in Plains, Kan., shared insights at the 2025 Western Dairy Management Conference in Reno, Nev., on what it takes to cultivate effective leadership within a dairy operation.
The Essence of Leadership
Bethard emphasizes that a leader must embody three crucial traits: being easy to follow, easy to understand, and relatable to everyone. Without leadership, a business struggles to recruit a high-caliber team and to attract top talent. In Bethard’s view, leadership isn’t just about the person in charge; it’s about the characteristics and culture they foster within their business.
“A business without a leader, in my view, is never going to be able to recruit a high caliber team and attract people to the business,” he said.
Characteristics of a Good Leader
Bethard shared that a great leader possesses certain non-negotiable traits:
“It absolutely shows when you don’t,” he said. “Passion is contagious. If you’re not excited about your business, how on earth is anybody else going to be excited about joining your team?”
He highlighted the necessity of trusting managers and avoiding micromanagement to foster growth and perspective. By traveling and visiting other dairies, Bethard gains fresh perspectives which he finds difficult to acquire when solely focused on the daily grind.
“I find when I’m gone for three or four days and visit other dairies … I just come back with a little different perspective,” he said.
Establishing a leadership legacy in the dairy business revolves around fostering the right qualities and cultivating a culture where people are eager to be part of the vision. It’s about leaders who can harness their passion and drive, inspiring everyone within the organization to strive for greatness. As Bethard highlights, the right qualities in a leader can make all the difference in transforming the dairy business into a thriving enterprise.
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