Zachary Worden: Optimize Leadership through Physical, Mental & Emotional Health

The Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast

In this dynamic episode of the Intentional Agribusiness Leader Podcast, host Mark Jewell sits down with Zachary Worden, Head of Sales at Telus Agriculture, to discuss what it means to be intentional in leadership and how to create a strong, results-driven culture. Zach shares his journey to his current role, shedding light on how to lead by example, foster a cohesive team, and maintain a high level of accountability in a competitive industry.

Zach emphasizes the importance of setting clear goals, empowering teams with the tools they need to succeed, and ensuring that leaders model the behavior they want to see. The conversation covers topics like talent retention, creating a service-oriented culture, and the significance of vulnerability in leadership. Zach also touches on the importance of personal development, including his take on maintaining physical, mental, and emotional health to optimize leadership.

Key Takeaways:

• Leadership by Example: Effective leaders live and breathe the goals they set for their teams, practicing what they preach to inspire confidence and trust.
• Clear Culture and Consistency: A strong company culture is built on clarity, consistency, and rewarding behaviors that align with the organization’s values.
• Handling Difficult Conversations: Delivering bad news with transparency and a clear path forward builds trust and strengthens leadership.
• Ownership of Time: Prioritizing time effectively, starting the day with meaningful activities, and avoiding back-to-back meetings leads to greater productivity and success.
• Vulnerability in Leadership: Being open to change, learning, and the by-products of your leadership style is key to bridging the gap between current and future leaders.

Notable Quotes:

• “People want to work for people, not robots. They follow leaders who live and breathe the goals they set.”
• “If we say we’re a service-oriented company, we need to see evidence of that culture every day. Otherwise, it's just lip service.”
• “The way you deliver bad news can define your leadership—be clear, stand by your decisions, and show the path forward.”
• “You can’t be a leader unless your house is in order first.”

Tune in for practical leadership insights and strategies to build a thriving culture that fosters accountability, personal growth, and high performance.