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:
- Committed — The dairy business demands unwavering commitment. A leader must consistently demonstrate this dedication to inspire the entire organization.
- Decisive — Decisiveness eliminates confusion and uncertainty. It ensures that everyone knows the direction and purpose of their efforts.
- Believable — Trust and belief in a leader’s message are fundamental. Leaders must be credible and inspire others to follow their vision.
- Accountable — True leaders show up daily, prepared to exert their full effort both mentally and physically.
- Trustworthy — Many employees in the dairy sector are new to the country and may come from environments where trust is scarce. Establishing trust starts at the top and is crucial in nurturing a dependable team.
- Visionary — A clear and tangible vision inspires people to be part of a business. It doesn’t have to be a formal mission statement; an authentic and compelling vision is enough to attract those who share enthusiasm for the journey.
Passion: A Powerful Catalyst
Bethard passionately insists on the importance of enthusiasm in leadership.
“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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