ARTICLE
Yesterday, board chairs and vice-chairs from OACC member cooperatives met in Oklahoma City for OACC's Keystone event, which equips board leaders with the right tools to lead their respective teams. Today’s cooperatives are in a time of continuous change and transition. As the next generation of ownership and management become leaders in the cooperative, it is imperative cooperatives have strong board chairs. Kicking off the event was OACC President and CEO, R.J. Gray, who helped each attendee discover their leadership style through Everything DiSC Work of Leaders. This training not only gives insight into personal leadership styles but also allows participants to learn how to better work with other leaders within their respective teams. It is imperative for board leaders to understand the different dynamics of personalities and leadership styles within their board room to facilitate constructive meetings and develop a high trust culture for the organization. Kevin Brinkley, President and CEO of Plains Cotton Cooperative Association, then discussed strategy for creating a positive culture within an organization. Brinkley stated that culture can be intentional or unintentional, and that board leaders should be working to create an intentional, positive culture within their cooperatives. Building on the idea of a positive culture, Tim Akins of Land O'Lakes, Inc shared information on talent recruitment and CEO succession. Boards are responsible for a sole employee, the CEO. Finding the correct fit is vital to a cooperative's success. Akins provided tangible steps and solutions for making the recruitment process less daunting. The training ended with a panel comprised of the day's speakers along with Dr. Phil Kenkel of Oklahoma State University and Kent Prickett, CEO of Farmers Grain Company in Pond Creek, OK. The participants and panel exchanged a series of questions—allowing board leaders to discuss scenarios and items relevant to their experiences as board chairs and vice-chairs. OACC would like to thank each cooperative who invested in their leaders by sending them to Keystone. Additionally, thank you to Kevin Brinkley, Tim Akins, Dr. Phil Kenkel and Kent Prickett for helping make the program a success.
Yesterday, board chairs and vice-chairs from OACC member cooperatives met in Oklahoma City for OACC's Keystone event, which equips board leaders with the right tools to lead their respective teams. Today’s cooperatives are in a time of continuous change and transition. As the next generation of ownership and management become leaders in the cooperative, it is imperative cooperatives have strong board chairs.
Kicking off the event was OACC President and CEO, R.J. Gray, who helped each attendee discover their leadership style through Everything DiSC Work of Leaders. This training not only gives insight into personal leadership styles but also allows participants to learn how to better work with other leaders within their respective teams. It is imperative for board leaders to understand the different dynamics of personalities and leadership styles within their board room to facilitate constructive meetings and develop a high trust culture for the organization.
Kevin Brinkley, President and CEO of Plains Cotton Cooperative Association, then discussed strategy for creating a positive culture within an organization. Brinkley stated that culture can be intentional or unintentional, and that board leaders should be working to create an intentional, positive culture within their cooperatives.
Building on the idea of a positive culture, Tim Akins of Land O'Lakes, Inc shared information on talent recruitment and CEO succession. Boards are responsible for a sole employee, the CEO. Finding the correct fit is vital to a cooperative's success. Akins provided tangible steps and solutions for making the recruitment process less daunting.
The training ended with a panel comprised of the day's speakers along with Dr. Phil Kenkel of Oklahoma State University and Kent Prickett, CEO of Farmers Grain Company in Pond Creek, OK. The participants and panel exchanged a series of questions—allowing board leaders to discuss scenarios and items relevant to their experiences as board chairs and vice-chairs.
OACC would like to thank each cooperative who invested in their leaders by sending them to Keystone. Additionally, thank you to Kevin Brinkley, Tim Akins, Dr. Phil Kenkel and Kent Prickett for helping make the program a success.