#class49

[agleadersclass49]

Leadership and the Fog of War

The fog of war. One of the most difficult challenges a leader faces is making difficult choices in uncertain times. Never are the stakes higher than during wartime. When to escalate and when to turn down the pressure cooker. Class, now known as “Company” 49, got a lesson today in dealing in uncertainty from Bruce Rice, a licensed battlefield guide and the unofficial “Gettysburg Guru”.

It’s said that the first casualty of war is your plan. Rarely do we jump into situations without an idea of how to get to a result. What’s important is to keep the end goal in mind, and live in the moment, don’t get bogged down with the minutia.

We heard today about two contrasts in leadership – from the Union side, Maj.-Gen. Winfield Hancock and Maj.-Gen. Oliver Howard. Hancock is ordered into Gettysburg to relieve Howard, even though Howard outranks him. Hancock is concerned, rightly, about Howard’s ego being bruised by this situation. Rather than creating a public confrontation, Hancock takes Howard aside, compliments him on the defensive position his men have created and defuses the situation. They kept the end goal, winning the battle, and war, in mind. In today’s world, the notion of the “compliment sandwich” was put into motion.

Contrast that with the Confederate example – Maj. Gen. Isaac Trimble and Lt. Gen. Richard Ewell. Ewell has received unclear orders from his superior and is overwhelmed. Trimble comes into the battle without a command and has a great suggestion, pressing the Confederate advantage to take Culp’s Hill. The fog is overwhelming Ewell. Instead of surveying the moment and coming in calmly with a tangible solution, Trimble is in Ewell’s face, escalating a fraught situation. The hill remained with the Union and an opportunity was lost.

After the teachings on the battlefield, we ventured back to discuss the different styles of leadership of Presidents throughout the years during times of turmoil. The staggering differences of the leaders of the free world rang true in these essential speeches throughout the years with the underlying theme of unifying the country for the greater good.

The Civil War was such a pivotal point in American history and without the leadership capabilities and perseverance of these men, we would not be where we are today!

Company 49 galloped away with some great lessons for life and leadership: 

Be focused on the result 

Press your advantage 

Be present 

 Listen to understand, not to respond

Yours Truly, 

Steve Dodge (not pictured: Taylor Serres and Daniel Hartwig) 

[shellihendricks]

“Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.” - Anthony Bourdain After a 24-hour return travel day, I am reminded of this quote by Anthony Bourdain. For my travel companions, may we continue to discover new layers of our best selves. #Class49 @caagleadership https://www.instagram.com/p/B5NV7o4HMGZ/?igshid=m2ynanycjj7f

[neverlandlostgirl23]

#tbt some of the best people I've had the pleasure of meeting and getting to know 💕🚑🚑🚑 #EMSFamily #Friends #class49

[shellihendricks]

Experiencing culture, learning about innovation and setting vision for the future with @caagleadership #Class49! Special thanks to @esabaltic for a wonderfully educational tour. https://www.instagram.com/p/B46gm4DHz-Y/?igshid=1wc1p465uvumu

[shellihendricks]

Wrapping up the Moscow leg of our journey with @caagleadership #Class49 #InternationalTrip Heading to Baltic Region next, beginning with Estonia!!! #staytuned #leadership #stretchyourself (at Шереметьево-Терминал E) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4l6DmvH0Uu/?igshid=16bc7js0d660c

[shellihendricks]

#Class49 is counting down to takeoff for their #InternationalSeminar to #Moscow #Estonia #Latvia #Lithuania!! Follow along on their blog at: https://agleadersclass49.tumblr.com/post/188589296560/tap-tap-tap-is-this-thing-on-because-class-49 https://www.instagram.com/p/B4KyOtqHmJ7/?igshid=1ch2vjfp45ru2

[shellihendricks]

After a thought-provoking seminar inSan Rafael, visiting San Quentin and discussing the complexities of incarceration, rehabilitation, victims’ rights and the death penalty, #Class49 tours @delanceystreetfoundation to learn about programs that offer alternatives. The sculpture at the center of Delancey Street Community is made of leftover construction materials that would have been thrown away, and symbolizes the beauty of creating something new and beautiful, when society might see disposable scraps. #newlife #newchances #eachoneteachone (at San Francisco, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/B3TdZMdnthd/?igshid=ryp90catr2b1

[shellihendricks]

Say hello to my little friend! Hanging out with one of my favorite fish, learning sustainable practices and discussing leadership and innovation with professors and professionals in Lithuania!! #learning #leading #leavingtheworldabetterplace #traveladventures #collaboration #scoutingmission #class49 (at Vytautas Magnus University (Vytauto Didžiojo universitetas)) https://www.instagram.com/p/BykqotppRSo/?igshid=28297opx0uzp

[shellihendricks]

Just a few preview pics from our #scoutingtrip for @caagleadership #Class49 #internationalseminar. We are pleased to see the threads coming together after visits to Moscow State University, Women’s Union of Russia and the only urban farm in Moscow. We are learning about complex leadership challenges of living in a post-Soviet society. We also enjoyed riding the Metro and walking Red Square. So much to see; so little time. #CleanHome #CleanCountry #CleanPlanet #peonieseverywhere #lifelonglearning #travelopensminds Next, we are on to Lithuania... (at Moscow, Russia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BydzhgOJ_Gw/?igshid=kuuhn3ogiiyg

[shellihendricks]

A little light reading for our flight! ✈️ Today we depart on our International #ScoutingTrip for @caagleadership #Class49. #dryrun #research #traveladventures #exploringnewthings #expandinghorizons (at Tom Bradley International Terminal - Los Angeles International Airport) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByTIBPxpf2j/?igshid=fmztc5tawk86

[shellihendricks]

We are excited to be developing a new way for alumni to reconnect, reengage, and refresh for ongoing leadership development after completing the program!! Beginning in June, we hope to bring you our first “Friday Live” monthly livestream from our international scouting trip for #Class49. Barring any unforeseen issues with technology or cyber security, I’ll be streaming with Drs. Cullen and Ferguson (possibly a few special guests) from Russia (with love, of course)! If you haven’t already contacted your Regional Director, please do so today!! . #FridayLive #alumnilearning #calfalumni #calfalumnicouncil #lifelonglearning https://www.instagram.com/p/ByIWK2RHx7X/?igshid=176mzgpynw4wz

[shellihendricks]

Next up on the California Agricultural Leadership #readinglist for @agleadersclass49 is this 💎 from the authors of Crucial Conversations. Get your copy and follow along or join your local #calpalumni for a discussion group! #LeadersareReaders #Influencer We grow leaders who make a difference! ☀️💦🌱 Whether you're a CEO, a parent, or merely a person who wants to make a difference, you probably wish you had more influence with the people in your life. But most of us stop trying to make change happen because we believe it is too difficult, if not impossible. We learn to cope rather than learning to influence. From the best-selling authors who taught the world how to have Crucial Conversations comes the new edition of Influencer, a thought-provoking audiobook that combines the remarkable insights of behavioral scientists and business leaders with the astonishing stories of high-powered influencers from all walks of life.

[shellihendricks]

In preparation for next month’s @caagleadership seminar, #Class49 is reading “Deep Change: Discovering the Leader Within,” which reveals so many rich insights about personal and organizational change! Read along and share your insights here, or repost to your alumni groups! #calpalumni #leadersarereaders #agleadership #agleaders https://www.instagram.com/p/BvZde1kAC6b/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=b2ioq53zst7b

[agleadersclass49]

Today was Day One of Class 49’s Sacramento and National Trip Seminar. There was a new sense of excitement about how the day would unfold. Our first meeting was at the office of Somach, Simmons, and Dunn wih Tess Dunham (Class 29) a shareholder. Though her talk centered on water policy she broke ground for what we consider to be one of the major themes of the day: the vital need for the farming community to take a more proactive approach with trade associations, policy groups, and law makers. She engaged our questions by playing devil’s advocate and opened our eyes to the realities of how ineffective some arguments can be and the need for awareness at all times.

Following Tess, Jackson Gualco (Class 20) hosted us at his office overlooking the City of Trees. Jack really brought home the concept of servant leadership through all of his philanthropies while also upholding his position as President and CEO of his prestigious government relations and public affairs consulting firm. He continued Tess’s theme of being involved and engaged with local agencies so to better understanding “creeping intention” laws and regulations. He also introduced us to what would be another major theme of the day: collaboration opportunities.

The rest of our day was generously hosted at the Sacramento office of Kahn, Soares, and Conway (KCS), led by Lauren Hajik (Class 48). Lauren graciously took the time to answer any and all questions about her role as a lobbyist and her experiences at the State Capitol. She also planned all of our Sacramento meetings and for that we are forever grateful.

Upon arriving at KSC, we immediately met with Senator Steve Glazer (Senate District 7) who impressed us with his drive for bipartisan politics we find so rarely in today’s political world. He has little agriculture in his district – less than a percentage point – but is also one of agriculture’s best friends in office due to his governing principles. His ability to work in the grey area with the concept of “yes, and” has allowed him to help engage others who might have little to no interest in the issues he supports. His understanding of consequences has led him to the success he now has.

Joaquin Esquival, Chair, State Water Resources Control Board was our next speaker. His humble attitude and willingness to engage those clamoring for a voice was a breath of fresh air. He wants people with different opinions to get involved and actively wants to listen to their opinions, but he made sure to state: come with an intent to get something done when you disagree. He also said those who are irreplaceable are not doing their job, which really seemed to resonate with the class.

Our final speaker was Jenny Lester Moffitt (Class 47) Undersecretary, CDFA. She continued and finalized the theme of being involve and telling the right story to make the connection. Through elevation of conversation and being proactive, there is a fighting chance to continue our great industry.

To round out the day we had a final review where we did a deeper dive into today’s themes of being proactive, getting engaged, and finding collaboration opportunities. One commonality between all speakers was the sense of hope everyone feels towards the new Governor. His decisions to engage farmers and ranchers is allowing him to work outside the box and cross party lines for the benefit of all.

Brittany Fagundes, Adam Borchard, John Dmytriw

[agleadersclass49]

The World’s Greatest Breakup Letter and an Imperfect Marriage Proposal 3/8/19

Today, Class 49 ventured to the National Constitution Center (NCC). Upon arrival we were greeted by Mike Adams (Director of Educations, NCC) and Matthew Riffe (Manager of Museum Learning, NCC) who would guide our learning experience. After a short introduction in the Google Room, we headed upstairs to the Signers’ Hall.

The Signers’ Hall was extraordinary. We stood among 42 life-size bronze statues of the Founding Fathers, learning who signed the Constitution and their history. George Washington stood tall and proud at the forefront of the room, while Ben Franklin sat complacently in a chair as he was 81 years old at the time and suffered from gout. Alexander Hamilton perched alone with his nose in the air, not far from the man who would later become his political adversary, James Madison. The detail of each statue was meticulous, down to the peg leg on Gouverneur Morris. The statues themselves made history come alive in a way no picture or book can.

From the Signers’ Hall, we moved on to the Constituting Liberty exhibition where the Declaration of Independence greeted us on giant tablets. Commonly referred to as the world’s greatest breakup letter, we were surrounded by interactive displays of the Declaration of Independence.

Following Constituting Liberty, we entered a small room where no photography was allowed, the American Treasures room. The room explores the path of ratification of the first ten amendments that make up our Bill of Rights, which was whittled down substantially from Madison’s original proposal of 190+ recommendations. We also saw handwritten drafts of the U.S. Constitution and the creative way the delegation had to negotiate along the path to the final document. Our Framers deliberated over six weeks on the issue of slavery and whether the enslaved population was considered property or people. While trying to establish a “more perfect union,” they opted to kick the can down the road and recognize slaves, not as full people but rather as three-fifths of a person, hoping future generations would be able to sort everything out. It was an imperfect marriage proposal of the 13 original states that led to the bloodiest war in American history.

The Story of We the People was our final exhibition of the tour. Boasting 17 hours of multimedia ranging from slavery to modern day presidents, various issues throughout the history of American, and interactive voting booths where visitors could vote in “fantasy elections” between Eisenhower and Obama and Kennedy and George W. Bush, we could have easily spent the rest of the entire day there. Some of the class opted for a shorter lunch to spend time walking the exhibit.

After lunch, we reconvened in the Google Room for a presentation on the goals of the Founding Fathers: making sure a centralized government could never restrict the rights of the people. The Bill of Rights were meant to restrict the federal government but not the state government. The overall hope was, after all, a weak federal government with a strong local government as the people had tired of being ruled without representation to a monarch across the ocean.

The next topic we explored had to do with slavery and the Reconstruction after the Civil War. Liberty from George III evolved to the concept of a “new birth of freedom” that President Lincoln described in his Gettysburg Address and extended by our “Second Founding Fathers.” The 13th Amendment abolished slavery and the Three-Fifths Compromise. The 14th amendment, once ratified, re-purposed the Constitution and Bill of Rights’ due process protections to apply to state and local governments as well. It also included what it means to be a U.S. citizen.

We then broke off into groups and tried to interpret different sections of the 14th Amendment and what they mean to us. The amendment is written broadly and open to different interpretations, which our nation has witnessed with the evolution of time. There is no one size solution to fit all issues, and it is important for us to constantly reflect on the purpose of the Constitution.

Once we departed the National Constitution Center, we made our way to beautiful Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were written and signed. Originally the Pennsylvania State House, the Hall includes the former state Supreme Court, where the English common law was judiciously exercised. Next, we saw the Assembly Room, the site of the signing of the two most important documents of American history – one which created our country, the other which preserved it. It was in this room that we Americans shook off the chains of British colonialism and monarchy. Yet to do so, our Founding Fathers and Framers perpetuated our “most peculiar institution” – slavery. It was this institution and the debate about what freedom and liberty mean that led to the bloodiest battle on American soil – the Battle of Gettysburg.

Just as it started to snow, we boarded the bus for the next leg of our journey. Off to Gettysburg we went! Due to weather and Friday traffic, we arrived just a bit late for our first, highly anticipated meeting with Bruce Rice. A few fellows had spoken to him over the phone prior to our arrival, to prep us for our presidential presentations we will give tomorrow night, and he did not disappoint. His knowledge and passion for history spilled out of his presentation to us and even though we were well past our scheduled bed time, we asked him to continue.

More on this inflection point of American history tomorrow. Farewell from PA!

-        Brittany Fagundes, Adam Borchard, Melissa Macfarlane

[agleadersclass49]

TRAVEL DAY TURBULENCE

The day started in the wee hours of the morning as the class awoke to embark on the Philadelphia leg of the national trip. The presiding fellows, for the day, successfully rounded up all 24 Class 49 members, plus 4 faculty/staff and what had to be several thousand pounds of luggage.  All were out the hotel doors by 4:16 am.  We were welcomed by very wet weather, yet we persisted to the airport arriving on time and all accounted for. We quickly went through security, boarded our plane and departed for Denver. While on the first leg of the trip we encountered several patches of turbulence, strong enough that the flight attendants were required to stay “strapped in.”  The rough air continued as we flew from Denver to the cold weather of Philadelphia, where we have arrived and are settling in with our warm clothes and cheese steaks.

Turbulence is the days theme. 

We all struggle with our personal turbulence.  On a 10 day trip, across the country, meeting with politicians and appointed officials, we all have a few bumps that we have to handle on a personal level.  We have all had to step away from our families, delegate responsibilities at work, and focus on building ourselves into stronger leaders than before.  While this can be tough, together we know and understand that we are becoming the leaders we want to be, ones that can and will make a difference.

Good leadership is helping those through their turbulence, but it is also turbulence that shapes great leaders.  

#class49 #agleaders #turbulence

Steve Filter, Jared Plumlee and Mark Unruh