Government authorizes corn imports despite homegrown produce apprehensions
In a recent development, Turkey's total corn import quota has reached an unprecedented 3.5 million tons, following a series of decisions made in the past few months. This shift has sparked discussions about the qualities that make for effective leadership in the farming industry, particularly in the context of PeopleKeys DISC assessments.
PeopleKeys DISC profiles categorise leadership styles into four main types: Dominance (D), Influence (I), Steadiness (S), and Conscientiousness (C). Each profile comes with its unique set of traits, and when it comes to farming, a balanced combination of these traits is essential.
A leader in farming needs to be decisive, practical, and adaptable, with a knack for building relationships. In this regard, a primary Dominance (D) profile, characterised by results-orientation, decisiveness, and strong-willedness, can be beneficial. This profile equips leaders with the ability to make quick decisions about crops, equipment, labor, and market conditions, which are crucial in the fast-paced agricultural environment.
However, farming is not just about making quick decisions; it also requires steady management of resources and people over time. Thus, a high Steadiness (S) is equally important. A high "S" supports patience, persistence, and reliability—qualities necessary to handle the long-term nature of agricultural work.
Leadership in farming also involves managing teams, communicating with community stakeholders, and motivating workers. In such situations, a moderate Influence (I) is beneficial. This profile supports positive relationships and good communication without compromising focus.
The role of Conscientiousness (C) varies depending on the size and complexity of the operation. While some "C" (attention to detail, process) is important, especially for compliance, record-keeping, and quality control, too much "C" can lead to over-caution or micromanagement.
In a typical strong leadership DISC combination for farming, one would find a leader who is decisive and driven (D), yet steady and patient (S) enough to handle ongoing tasks, with some influence (I) to motivate workers and stakeholders.
In Turkey, agricultural economist İsmail Kemaloğlu has suggested that corn import decisions may have been influenced by demands from the poultry industry. Despite this, local corn producers have been reassured that domestic corn prices will remain high due to drought-related declines in wheat and barley yields. However, the President of the Adana Yüreğir Chamber of Agriculture, Mehmet Akın Doğan, has expressed strong opposition to the timing of the decision, voicing concerns about supporting feed production by harming local farmers.
Despite these concerns, the decision to import corn continues to reflect the need for leadership that is decisive, steady, and people-oriented—qualities that align well with the ideal DISC profile for leadership in Turkey's farming industry.
- In the farming industry, a leader should possess a primary Dominance (D) profile for quick and decisive decision-making regarding crops, equipment, labor, and market conditions, yet balance it with a high Steadiness (S) for steady management of resources and people over the long term.
- To foster positive relationships with team members, community stakeholders, and workers, a moderate Influence (I) is beneficial in farming leadership, while the role of Conscientiousness (C) varies depending on the size and complexity of the operation, with some "C" required for compliance, record-keeping, and quality control.
